Check from .NET if Windows Update is enabled

Question

Is there any way to check from .NET if windows update is enabled?

I want to prompt the users every time they log into my app that their computer might be at risk and give them a link to windows update website (or windows update application from control panel).

Preferably it should work on XP, Vista and Windows 7. Maybe there is a registry key or even better an API?

Answer 1

First add a reference to WUApiLib "C:\windows\system32\Wuapi.dll"

Then you can use this code snippet.

WUApiLib.AutomaticUpdatesClass auc = new WUApiLib.AutomaticUpdatesClass();
bool active = auc.ServiceEnabled;

MSDN: "The ServiceEnabled property indicates whether all the components that Automatic Updates requires are available."

The Setting auc.Settings.NotificationLevel contains the information about the current mode. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa385806(VS.85).aspx

Answer 2

Of course it is your choice to do that but getting prompted every few minutes that WindowsUpdate was switched off was by far the worst usability issue in XP.

You don't want to irritate your users. You should love them. And definitely not intrude in their private affairs like checking out if WU is off because honestly it's no business of yours.