Abstract: The description of an update package for updating a software application in an offline synchronization operation is presented. The update package includes update information for a plurality of updates. The update information includes a reference to the update payload and the relationships of the present update to other updates in the update package. A system for updating a software application on a client computer is also presented. An update agent includes a communication module and a media module. The communication module is configured to communicate with both an update source over a communication network, or the media module. The media module obtains update information from computer-readable media. The communication module communicates with the update source or the media module in the same manner.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the installation of files on a computing device are provided. A client computing device obtains installation information identifying a version of a baseline installation component stored on the client computing device. The installation information also includes an installation component delta patch that is merged with the baseline installation component to generate an updated installation component. The updated installation component is utilized to install one or more files on the client computing device. Upon completion of the installation, the updated installation component can be deleted.

Abstract: A tag-based structure for communicating software update metadata information to client computers and to update service nodes is presented. An update metadata file includes: an identifier tag including a software update identifier that uniquely identifies the software update; zero or more general properties tags that carry general property information relating the software update; zero or more localized properties tags that carry localized property information organized according to language; zero or more relationship tags that identify dependency relationships the current software update, as described in the update metadata, has with other software updates; zero or more applicability rules tags that carry information for determining the applicability of the software update to a client computer; zero or more files tags that carry information relating to the software update's payload files; and handler specific data tags that carry information directed to the software handler for installing the software update.

Abstract: A system and method for updating one or more files on a computing device are provided. A client computing device obtains update information including an index identifying particular delta patches with specific versions of installed files. Upon selecting which of the applicable updates will be implemented, an update agent on the client computing device performs an inventory to identify which version a file to be updated is installed on the machine. The update agent selects a corresponding delta patch and transmits the request to an update service.