The following two methods are available for detecting patch information:

• Using WUA
• Using MBSA 1.2.1

Although the program and database files to be used for detection are different, the detection procedure is identical. Note that MBSA 1.2.1 detects only the patches that have not been applied to clients. To detect patches that have been applied to clients, use WUA.

The following figure shows the patch information detection procedure:

Figure 7-6 Patch information detection procedure

1. Distribute a patch information detection program and a database file for detection.
   Distribute a patch information detection program and a database file for detection to clients. For details about how to obtain and distribute these items, as well as the details of detection method, see 7.2.2 Distributing the files necessary for detection using WUA or 7.2.3 Distributing the files necessary for detection using MBSA 1.2.1.
   
2. Get software information from clients.
   Execute the Get software information from client job. When creating the job, on the Options page, specify either Search all software or Search software listed in "Add/Remove Programs". The distributed program is executed at the clients, and patch information is detected.
   For details about how to create and execute the Get software information from client job, see 3.2.1 Procedure for collecting software information. For notes on detection, see 7.2.4 Notes on patch information detection.
   
3. Check and count clients for the detected patch information.
   You can check the detection results from Remote Installation Manager. You can also use Inventory Viewer to count clients, using the detected patch information as a condition.
   For details about how to check and count clients for the detected patch information, see 7.2.5 Checking and counting patch information detection results.