How do large companies handle software updates for users without administrative rights?

Posted by CT on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by CT
Published on 2010-05-26T15:57:42Z Indexed on 2010/05/26 16:03 UTC
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Filed under:

policy

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users-rights

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software-update

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user-permissions

I just started working for a small-medium size company doing IT support. Maybe 150 or less users.

Right now every user has administrative rights to their own machine. This allows them to install updates or whatever else they would like to.

I'm tired of getting on user's machines that are bloated with crap they put on themselves. So my first thought would be to take away administrative rights to their computer. This would also have other advantages such as preventing a lot of drive-by malware on the web etc.

The problem arises that users are unable to install updates. (Even though I find most ignore these anyway)

How do large companies handle software updates on all client machines?

EDIT: Windows environment. Most servers are Windows Server 2003 Enterprise. Clients are all Windows. Win XP, Vista, and 7.

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