Installing Updates from the Command Prompt
Test and modify installation scripts to meet the needs of your organization. For information about installing updates to a SQL Server 2008 failover cluster, see How to apply a SQL Server 2008 update to a failover cluster instance in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
Sample Syntax for Installation
The name of the update package can vary and may include a language, edition, and processor component. Apply an update at a command prompt replacing <package_name> with the name of your update package:
- Update a single instance of SQL Server and all shared components, like Integration Services and Management Tools: <package_name>.exe /qs /Action=Patch /InstanceName=MyInstance
- Update SQL Server shared components only, like Integration Services and Management Tools: <package_name>.exe /qs /Action=Patch
- Update all instances of SQL Server on the computer and all shared components, like Integration Services and Management Tools: <package_name>.exe /qs /Action=Patch /AllInstances
Remove an update from the command prompt replacing <package_name> with the name of your update package:
Remove an update from a single instance of SQL Server and all shared components, like Integration Services and Management Tools: <package_name>.exe /qs /Action=RemovePatch /InstanceName=MyInstance
Remove an update from SQL Server shared components only, like Integration Services and Management Tools: <package_name>.exe /qs /Action=RemovePatch
Note
The update installer ensures that the shared components are always at or above the version of the instance at the highest level.
Supported Command Prompt Parameters
Important
When possible, supply security credentials at run time. If you must store credentials in a script file, secure the file to prevent unauthorized access.
| Switch | Description |
|---|---|
/? |
Displays unattended installation command prompt help. |
/action=Patch or /action=RemovePatch |
Specifies the installation action: Patch or RemovePatch. |
/allinstances |
Applies the SQL Server 2008 update to all instances of SQL Server 2008 and to all SQL Server 2008 shared, instance-unaware components. |
/instancename=InstanceName |
Applies the SQL Server 2008 update to an instance of SQL Server 2008 named InstanceName, and to all SQL Server 2008 shared, instance-unaware components. |
/quiet |
Runs the SQL Server 2008 update Setup in unattended mode. |
/qs |
Displays only the progress UI dialog. |
/CUSource |
Specifies the path for the extracted cumulative update files. |