MSU File Documentation

Overview

Feature Value
File Extension .msu
Full Name Microsoft Update Standalone Package
Used By Windows Vista and later
MIME Type application/octet-stream
Format Type Archive
Compression CAB (Cabinet file)
Installation Mechanism Windows Update Stand-alone Installer (Wusa.exe)
Integration Can be integrated into Windows installation media
Manual Installation Supported through the command line
Security May require administrator privileges for installation
Executable Content Yes, contains update installer executable
Content Type Windows Feature updates, Security updates, and Hotfixes
Automated Installation Support Scriptable via PowerShell or Command Prompt
Uninstallation Possible through Windows Update History or command line
Reusability Can be archived and reused for multiple installations
Multi-Language Support Contains specific language editions or multi-language support
Update Type Indicator File name usually includes an indication of the update type or version
Checksum Used for integrity verification
Network Deployment Can be deployed through network in enterprise environments
Registry Modifications May alter or add new registry entries
File Dependencies May depend on previous updates or system components