title: Windows Update Agents Vs WMIC QFE GET
body: <p>I am exploring the reliability of the following two ways to get the Windows Patch Information.</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Using Windows Update Agent - IUpdateSearcher Interface with COM.</li>
  <li>Using WMIC QFE GET (Either through client or WMI Interfaces with
  COM)</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Below are the queries I have for the above two methods</p>
  
  <p><strong>Using Windows Update Agent - IUpdateSearcher Interface with COM.</strong></p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Does IUpdateSearcher navigates through the following registry and provides the information?<br>
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing</li>
  <li>Are there any other registry paths IUpdateSearcher looks for to give Update information? </li>
  <li>Does IUpdateSearcher give a super set of what WMIC QFE gives?</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p><strong>Using WMIC QFE GET (Either through client or WMI Interfaces with COM)</strong></p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Does WMIC QFE search the following registry path and provides the
  information? 
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Updates (OR)
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Updates</li>
  <li>Are there any other registry paths WMIC QFE GET looks for to give Update information?</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Also, Of the above two ways, </p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Which method is the best way to get the Update Information without
  data loss? </li>
  <li>Which method performs faster?</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Could someone provide answers for all my queries?</p>