win_updates: add scheduled tasks back in for older hosts (#38708)

* win_updates: add scheduled tasks back in for older hosts

* Fixed up typo in category name error message

* Fixed up some minor issues after merge

* added changelog fragment

* Default to become but add override to use scheduled tasks

* Added basic unit tests for win_updates

* fix minor typos

changelogs/fragments/win_updates-add-scheduled-tasks-back.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+bugfixes:
+- win_updates - Added the ability to run on a scheduled task for older hosts so async starts working again - https://github.com/ansible/ansible/issues/38364

lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_updates.ps1

@@ -7,13 +7,6 @@
 
 #Requires -Module Ansible.ModuleUtils.Legacy
 
-<# Most of the Windows Update API will not run under a remote token, which a
-remote WinRM session always has. We set the below AnsibleRequires flag to
-require become being used when executing the module to bypass this restriction.
-This means we don't have to mess around with scheduled tasks. #>
-
-#AnsibleRequires -Become
-
 $ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
 
 $params = Parse-Args -arguments $args -supports_check_mode $true
@@ -25,22 +18,6 @@ $state = Get-AnsibleParam -obj $params -name "state" -type "str" -default "insta
 $blacklist = Get-AnsibleParam -obj $params -name "blacklist" -type "list"
 $whitelist = Get-AnsibleParam -obj $params -name "whitelist" -type "list"
 
-$result = @{
-    changed = $false
-    updates = @{}
-    filtered_updates = @{}
-}
-
-Function Write-DebugLog($msg) {
-    $date_str = Get-Date -Format u
-    $msg = "$date_str $msg"
-
-    Write-Debug -Message $msg
-    if ($log_path -ne $null -and (-not $check_mode)) {
-        Add-Content -Path $log_path -Value $msg
-    }
-}
-
 Function Get-CategoryGuid($category_name) {
     $guid = switch -exact ($category_name) {
         "Application" {"5C9376AB-8CE6-464A-B136-22113DD69801"}
@@ -55,35 +32,63 @@ Function Get-CategoryGuid($category_name) {
         "Tools" {"B4832BD8-E735-4761-8DAF-37F882276DAB"}
         "UpdateRollups" {"28BC880E-0592-4CBF-8F95-C79B17911D5F"}
         "Updates" {"CD5FFD1E-E932-4E3A-BF74-18BF0B1BBD83"}
-        default { Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Unknown category_name $category_name, must be one of (Application,Connectors,CriticalUpdates,DefinitionUpdates,DeveloperKits,FeaturePacks,Guidance,SecurityUpdates,ServicePacks,Tools,UpdateRollups,Updates)" }
+        default { Fail-Json -message "Unknown category_name $category_name, must be one of (Application,Connectors,CriticalUpdates,DefinitionUpdates,DeveloperKits,FeaturePacks,Guidance,SecurityUpdates,ServicePacks,Tools,UpdateRollups,Updates)" }
     }
     return $guid
 }
-
-Function Get-RebootStatus() {
-    try {
-        $system_info = New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.SystemInfo
-    } catch {
-        Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to create Microsoft.Update.SystemInfo COM object for reboot status: $($_.Exception.Message)"
-    }
-
-    return $system_info.RebootRequired
-}
-
 $category_guids = $category_names | ForEach-Object { Get-CategoryGuid -category_name $_ }
 
+$common_functions = {
+    Function Write-DebugLog($msg) {
+        $date_str = Get-Date -Format u
+        $msg = "$date_str $msg"
+    
+        Write-Debug -Message $msg
+        if ($log_path -ne $null -and (-not $check_mode)) {
+            Add-Content -Path $log_path -Value $msg
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+$update_script_block = {
+    Param(
+        [hashtable]$arguments
+    )
+
+    $ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
+    $DebugPreference = "Continue"
+
+    Function Start-Updates {
+        Param(
+            $category_guids,
+            $log_path,
+            $state,
+            $blacklist,
+            $whitelist
+        )
+
+        $result = @{
+            changed = $false
+            updates = @{}
+            filtered_updates = @{}
+        }
+        
         Write-DebugLog -msg "Creating Windows Update session..."
         try {
             $session = New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.Session
         } catch {
-    Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to create Microsoft.Update.Session COM object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            $result.failed = $true
+            $result.msg = "Failed to create Microsoft.Update.Session COM object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            return $result
         }
         
         Write-DebugLog -msg "Create Windows Update searcher..."
         try {
             $searcher = $session.CreateUpdateSearcher()
         } catch {
-    Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to create Windows Update search from session: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            $result.failed = $true
+            $result.msg = "Failed to create Windows Update search from session: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            return $result
         }
         
         # OR is only allowed at the top-level, so we have to repeat base criteria inside
@@ -97,7 +102,9 @@ Write-DebugLog -msg "Searching for updates to install in category Ids $category_
         try {
             $search_result = $searcher.Search($criteria)
         } catch {
-    Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to search for updates with criteria '$criteria': $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            $result.failed = $true
+            $result.msg = "Failed to search for updates with criteria '$criteria': $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            return $result
         }
         Write-DebugLog -msg "Found $($search_result.Updates.Count) updates"
         
@@ -105,7 +112,9 @@ Write-DebugLog -msg "Creating update collection..."
         try {
             $updates_to_install = New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.UpdateColl
         } catch {
-    Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to create update collection object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            $result.failed = $true
+            $result.msg = "Failed to create update collection object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            return $result
         }
         
         foreach ($update in $search_result.Updates) {
@@ -137,6 +146,10 @@ foreach ($update in $search_result.Updates) {
                 $skipped = $true
             }
 
+            foreach ($kb in $update_info.kb) {
+                if ("KB$kb" -imatch $blacklist_entry) {
+                    $kb_match = $true
+                }
                 foreach ($blacklist_entry in $blacklist) {
                     $kb_match = $false
                     foreach ($kb in $update_info.kb) {
@@ -150,6 +163,7 @@ foreach ($update in $search_result.Updates) {
                         break
                     }
                 }
+            }
             if ($skipped) {
                 $result.filtered_updates[$update_info.id] = $update_info
                 continue
@@ -161,7 +175,9 @@ foreach ($update in $search_result.Updates) {
                 try {
                     $update.AcceptEula()
                 } catch {
-            Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to accept EULA for update $($update_info.id) - $($update_info.title)"
+                    $result.failed = $true
+                    $result.msg = "Failed to accept EULA for update $($update_info.id) - $($update_info.title)"
+                    return $result
                 }
             }
         
@@ -179,7 +195,7 @@ foreach ($update in $search_result.Updates) {
         Write-DebugLog -msg "Calculating pre-install reboot requirement..."
         
         # calculate this early for check mode, and to see if we should allow updates to continue
-$result.reboot_required = Get-RebootStatus
+        $result.reboot_required = (New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.SystemInfo).RebootRequired
         $result.found_update_count = $updates_to_install.Count
         $result.installed_update_count = 0
         
@@ -191,18 +207,20 @@ if ($check_mode -or $state -eq "searched") {
             if ($updates_to_install.Count -gt 0 -and ($state -ne "searched")) {
                 $result.changed = $true
             }
-    Exit-Json -obj $result
+            return $result
         }
         
         if ($updates_to_install.Count -gt 0) {
             if ($result.reboot_required) {
                 Write-DebugLog -msg "FATAL: A reboot is required before more updates can be installed"
-        Fail-Json -obj $result -message "A reboot is required before more updates can be installed"
+                $result.failed = $true
+                $result.msg = "A reboot is required before more updates can be installed"
+                return $result
             }
             Write-DebugLog -msg "No reboot is pending..."    
         } else {
             # no updates to install exit here
-    Exit-Json -obj $result
+            return $result
         }
         
         Write-DebugLog -msg "Downloading updates..."
@@ -219,14 +237,18 @@ foreach ($update in $updates_to_install) {
             try {
                 $dl = $session.CreateUpdateDownloader()
             } catch {
-        Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to create downloader object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+                $result.failed = $true
+                $result.msg = "Failed to create downloader object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+                return $result
             }
         
             Write-DebugLog -msg "Creating download collection..."
             try {
                 $dl.Updates = New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.UpdateColl
             } catch {
-        Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to create download collection object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+                $result.failed = $true
+                $result.msg = "Failed to create download collection object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+                return $result
             }
         
             Write-DebugLog -msg "Adding update $update_number $($update.Identity.UpdateId)"
@@ -236,13 +258,17 @@ foreach ($update in $updates_to_install) {
             try {
                 $download_result = $dl.Download()
             } catch {
-        Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to download update $update_number $($update.Identity.UpdateId) - $($update.Title): $($_.Exception.Message)"
+                $result.failed = $true
+                $result.msg = "Failed to download update $update_number $($update.Identity.UpdateId) - $($update.Title): $($_.Exception.Message)"
+                return $result
             }
             
             Write-DebugLog -msg "Download result code for $update_number $($update.Identity.UpdateId) = $($download_result.ResultCode)"
             # FUTURE: configurable download retry
             if ($download_result.ResultCode -ne 2) { # OperationResultCode orcSucceeded
-        Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to download update $update_number $($update.Identity.UpdateId) - $($update.Title): Download Result $($download_result.ResultCode)"
+                $result.failed = $true
+                $result.msg = "Failed to download update $update_number $($update.Identity.UpdateId) - $($update.Title): Download Result $($download_result.ResultCode)"
+                return $result
             }
         
             $result.changed = $true
@@ -256,14 +282,18 @@ Write-DebugLog -msg "Creating installer object..."
         try {
             $installer = $session.CreateUpdateInstaller()
         } catch {
-    Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to create Update Installer object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            $result.failed = $true
+            $result.msg = "Failed to create Update Installer object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            return $result
         }
         
         Write-DebugLog -msg "Creating install collection..."
         try {
             $installer.Updates = New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.UpdateColl
         } catch {
-    Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to create Update Collection object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            $result.failed = $true
+            $result.msg = "Failed to create Update Collection object: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            return $result
         }
         
         foreach ($update in $updates_to_install) {
@@ -275,7 +305,9 @@ foreach ($update in $updates_to_install) {
         try {
             $install_result = $installer.Install()
         } catch {
-    Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to install update from Update Collection: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            $result.failed = $true
+            $result.msg = "Failed to install update from Update Collection: $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            return $result
         }
         
         $update_success_count = 0
@@ -288,7 +320,9 @@ foreach ($update in $updates_to_install) {
             try {
                 $update_result = $install_result.GetUpdateResult($update_index)
             } catch {
-        Fail-Json -obj $result -message "Failed to get update result for update $update_number $($update.Identity.UpdateID) - $($update.Title): $($_.Exception.Message)"
+                $result.failed = $true
+                $result.msg = "Failed to get update result for update $update_number $($update.Identity.UpdateID) - $($update.Title): $($_.Exception.Message)"
+                return $result
             }
             $update_resultcode = $update_result.ResultCode
             $update_hresult = $update_result.HResult
@@ -310,15 +344,211 @@ foreach ($update in $updates_to_install) {
         }
         
         Write-DebugLog -msg "Performing post-install reboot requirement check..."
-$result.reboot_required = Get-RebootStatus
+        $result.reboot_required = (New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.SystemInfo).RebootRequired
         $result.installed_update_count = $update_success_count
         $result.failed_update_count = $update_fail_count
         
         if ($update_fail_count -gt 0) {
-    Fail-Json -obj $result -msg "Failed to install one or more updates"
+            $result.failed = $true
+            $result.msg = "Failed to install one or more updates"
+            return $result
         }
         
         Write-DebugLog -msg "Return value:`r`n$(ConvertTo-Json -InputObject $result -Depth 99)"
+    }
 
-Exit-Json $result
+    $check_mode = $arguments.check_mode
+    try {
+        return @{
+            job_output = Start-Updates @arguments
+        }
+    } catch {
+        Write-DebugLog -msg "Fatal exception: $($_.Exception.Message) at $($_.ScriptStackTrace)"
+        return @{
+            job_output = @{
+                failed = $true
+                msg = $_.Exception.Message
+                location = $_.ScriptStackTrace
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
 
+Function Start-Natively($common_functions, $script) {
+    $runspace_pool = [RunspaceFactory]::CreateRunspacePool()
+    $runspace_pool.Open()
+
+    try {
+        $ps_pipeline = [PowerShell]::Create()
+        $ps_pipeline.RunspacePool = $runspace_pool
+
+        # add the common script functions
+        $ps_pipeline.AddScript($common_functions) > $null
+
+        # add the update script block and required parameters
+        $ps_pipeline.AddStatement().AddScript($script) > $null
+        $ps_pipeline.AddParameter("arguments", @{
+            category_guids = $category_guids
+            log_path = $log_path
+            state = $state
+            blacklist = $blacklist
+            whitelist = $whitelist
+            check_mode = $check_mode
+        }) > $null
+
+        $output = $ps_pipeline.Invoke()
+    } finally {
+        $runspace_pool.Close()
+    }
+
+    $result = $output[0].job_output
+    if ($ps_pipeline.HadErrors) {
+        $result.failed = $true
+
+        # if the msg wasn't set, then add a generic error to at least tell the user something
+        if (-not ($result.ContainsKey("msg"))) {
+            $result.msg = "Unknown failure when executing native update script block"
+            $result.errors = $ps_pipeline.Streams.Error
+        }
+    }
+
+    Write-DebugLog -msg "Native job completed with output: $($result | Out-String -Width 300)"
+
+    return ,$result
+}
+
+Function Remove-ScheduledJob($name) {
+    $scheduled_job = Get-ScheduledJob -Name $name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+
+    if ($scheduled_job -ne $null) {
+        Write-DebugLog -msg "Scheduled Job $name exists, ensuring it is not running..."
+        $scheduler = New-Object -ComObject Schedule.Service
+        Write-DebugLog -msg "Connecting to scheduler service..."
+        $scheduler.Connect()
+        Write-DebugLog -msg "Getting running tasks named $name"
+        $running_tasks = @($scheduler.GetRunningTasks(0) | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq $name })
+
+        foreach ($task_to_stop in $running_tasks) {
+            Write-DebugLog -msg "Stopping running task $($task_to_stop.InstanceGuid)..."
+            $task_to_stop.Stop()
+        }
+
+        <# FUTURE: add a global waithandle for this to release any other waiters. Wait-Job 
+        and/or polling will block forever, since the killed job object in the parent 
+        session doesn't know it's been killed :( #>
+        Unregister-ScheduledJob -Name $name
+    }
+}
+
+Function Start-AsScheduledTask($common_functions, $script) {
+    $job_name = "ansible-win-updates"
+    Remove-ScheduledJob -name $job_name
+
+    $job_args = @{
+        ScriptBlock = $script
+        Name = $job_name
+        ArgumentList = @(
+            @{
+                category_guids = $category_guids
+                log_path = $log_path
+                state = $state
+                blacklist = $blacklist
+                whitelist = $whitelist
+                check_mode = $check_mode
+            }
+        )
+        ErrorAction = "Stop"
+        ScheduledJobOption = @{ RunElevated=$True; StartIfOnBatteries=$True; StopIfGoingOnBatteries=$False }
+        InitializationScript = $common_functions
+    }
+
+    Write-DebugLog -msg "Registering scheduled job with args $($job_args | Out-String -Width 300)"
+    $scheduled_job = Register-ScheduledJob @job_args
+
+    # RunAsTask isn't available in PS3 - fall back to a 2s future trigger
+    if ($scheduled_job | Get-Member -Name RunAsTask) {
+        Write-DebugLog -msg "Starting scheduled job (PS4+ method)"
+        $scheduled_job.RunAsTask()
+    } else {
+        Write-DebugLog -msg "Starting scheduled job (PS3 method)"
+        Add-JobTrigger -InputObject $scheduled_job -trigger $(New-JobTrigger -Once -At $(Get-Date).AddSeconds(2))
+    }
+
+    $sw = [System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch]::StartNew()
+    $job = $null
+
+    Write-DebugLog -msg "Waiting for job completion..."
+
+    # Wait-Job can fail for a few seconds until the scheduled task starts - poll for it...
+    while ($job -eq $null) {
+        Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 100
+        if ($sw.ElapsedMilliseconds -ge 30000) { # tasks scheduled right after boot on 2008R2 can take awhile to start...
+            Fail-Json -msg "Timed out waiting for scheduled task to start"
+        }
+
+        # FUTURE: configurable timeout so we don't block forever?
+        # FUTURE: add a global WaitHandle in case another instance kills our job, so we don't block forever
+        $job = Wait-Job -Name $scheduled_job.Name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+    }
+
+    $sw = [System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch]::StartNew()
+
+    # NB: output from scheduled jobs is delayed after completion (including the sub-objects after the primary Output object is available)
+    while (($job.Output -eq $null -or -not ($job.Output | Get-Member -Name Key -ErrorAction Ignore) -or -not $job.Output.Key.Contains("job_output")) -and $sw.ElapsedMilliseconds -lt 15000) {
+        Write-DebugLog -msg "Waiting for job output to populate..."
+        Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 500
+    }
+    
+    # NB: fallthru on both timeout and success
+    $ret = @{
+        ErrorOutput = $job.Error
+        WarningOutput = $job.Warning
+        VerboseOutput = $job.Verbose
+        DebugOutput = $job.Debug
+    }
+
+    if ($job.Output -eq $null -or -not $job.Output.Keys.Contains('job_output')) {
+        $ret.Output = @{failed = $true; msg = "job output was lost"}
+    } else {
+        $ret.Output = $job.Output.job_output # sub-object returned, can only be accessed as a property for some reason
+    }
+
+    try { # this shouldn't be fatal, but can fail with both Powershell errors and COM Exceptions, hence the dual error-handling... 
+        Unregister-ScheduledJob -Name $job_name -Force -ErrorAction Continue
+    } catch {
+        Write-DebugLog "Error unregistering job after execution: $($_.Exception.ToString()) $($_.ScriptStackTrace)"
+    }
+    Write-DebugLog -msg "Scheduled job completed with output: $($re.Output | Out-String -Width 300)"
+
+    return $ret.Output
+}
+
+# source the common code into the current scope so we can call it
+. $common_functions
+
+<# Most of the Windows Update Agent API will not run under a remote token,
+which a remote WinRM session always has. Using become can bypass this
+limitation but it is not always an option with older hosts. win_updates checks
+if WUA is available in the current logon process and does either of the below;
+
+    * If become is used then it will run the windows update process natively
+      without any of the scheduled task hackery
+    * If become is not used then it will run the windows update process under
+      a scheduled job.
+#>
+try {
+    (New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.Session).CreateUpdateInstaller().IsBusy > $null
+    $wua_available = $true
+} catch {
+    $wua_available = $false
+}
+
+if ($wua_available) {
+    Write-DebugLog -msg "WUA is available in current logon process, running natively"
+    $result = Start-Natively -common_functions $common_functions -script $update_script_block
+} else {
+    Write-DebugLog -msg "WUA is not avialable in current logon process, running with scheduled task"
+    $result = Start-AsScheduledTask -common_functions $common_functions -script $update_script_block
+}
+
+Exit-Json -obj $result

lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_updates.py

@@ -85,6 +85,18 @@ options:
           I(category_names). It will not force the module to install an update
           if it was not in the category specified.
         version_added: '2.5'
+    use_scheduled_task:
+        description:
+        - Will not auto elevate the remote process with I(become) and use a
+          scheduled task instead.
+        - Set this to C(yes) when using this module with async on Server 2008,
+          2008 R2, or Windows 7, or on Server 2008 that is not authenticated
+          with basic or credssp.
+        - Can also be set to C(yes) on newer hosts where become does not work
+          due to further privilege restrictions from the OS defaults.
+        type: bool
+        default: 'no'
+        version_added: '2.6'
 author:
 - Matt Davis (@nitzmahone)
 notes:
@@ -100,16 +112,17 @@ notes:
 '''
 
 EXAMPLES = r'''
-- name: Install all security, critical, and rollup updates
+- name: Install all security, critical, and rollup updates without a scheduled task
   win_updates:
     category_names:
       - SecurityUpdates
       - CriticalUpdates
       - UpdateRollups
 
-- name: Install only security updates
+- name: Install only security updates as a scheduled task for Server 2008
   win_updates:
     category_names: SecurityUpdates
+    use_scheduled_task: yes
 
 - name: Search-only, return list of found updates (if any), log to C:\ansible_wu.txt
   win_updates:
@@ -139,37 +152,6 @@ EXAMPLES = r'''
     blacklist:
     - Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool for Windows
     - \d{4}-\d{2} Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2016
-
-# Note async works on Windows Server 2012 or newer - become must be explicitly set on the task for this to work
-- name: Search for Windows updates asynchronously
-  win_updates:
-    category_names:
-    - SecurityUpdates
-    state: searched
-  async: 180
-  poll: 10
-  register: updates_to_install
-  become: yes
-  become_method: runas
-  become_user: SYSTEM
-
-# Async can also be run in the background in a fire and forget fashion
-- name: Search for Windows updates asynchronously (poll and forget)
-  win_updates:
-    category_names:
-    - SecurityUpdates
-    state: searched
-  async: 180
-  poll: 0
-  register: updates_to_install_async
-
-- name: get status of Windows Update async job
-  async_status:
-    jid: '{{ updates_to_install_async.ansible_job_id }}'
-  register: updates_to_install_result
-  become: yes
-  become_method: runas
-  become_user: SYSTEM
 '''
 
 RETURN = r'''

lib/ansible/plugins/action/win_updates.py

@@ -40,15 +40,17 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
                 raise AnsibleError("Unknown category_name %s, must be one of "
                                    "(%s)" % (name, ','.join(valid_categories)))
 
-    def _run_win_updates(self, module_args, task_vars):
+    def _run_win_updates(self, module_args, task_vars, use_task):
         display.vvv("win_updates: running win_updates module")
-        result = self._execute_module(module_name='win_updates',
+        wrap_async = self._task.async_val
+        result = self._execute_module_with_become(module_name='win_updates',
                                                   module_args=module_args,
                                                   task_vars=task_vars,
-                                      wrap_async=self._task.async_val)
+                                                  wrap_async=wrap_async,
+                                                  use_task=use_task)
         return result
 
-    def _reboot_server(self, task_vars, reboot_timeout):
+    def _reboot_server(self, task_vars, reboot_timeout, use_task):
         display.vvv("win_updates: rebooting remote host after update install")
         reboot_args = {
             'reboot_timeout': reboot_timeout
@@ -58,42 +60,35 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
         if reboot_result.get('failed', False):
             raise AnsibleError(reboot_result['msg'])
 
+        # only run this if the user has specified we can only use scheduled
+        # tasks, the win_shell command requires become and will be skipped if
+        # become isn't available to use
+        if use_task:
+            display.vvv("win_updates: skipping WUA is not busy check as "
+                        "use_scheduled_task=True is set")
+        else:
             display.vvv("win_updates: checking WUA is not busy with win_shell "
                         "command")
-        # While this always returns False after a reboot it doesn't return a
+            # While this always returns False after a reboot it doesn't return
-        # value until Windows is actually ready and finished installing updates
+            # a value until Windows is actually ready and finished installing
-        # This needs to run with become as WUA doesn't work over WinRM
+            # updates. This needs to run with become as WUA doesn't work over
-        # Ignore connection errors as another reboot can happen
+            # WinRM, ignore connection errors as another reboot can happen
             command = "(New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.Session)." \
                       "CreateUpdateInstaller().IsBusy"
             shell_module_args = {
                 '_raw_params': command
             }
 
-        # run win_shell module with become and ignore any errors in case of
-        # a windows reboot during execution
-        orig_become = self._play_context.become
-        orig_become_method = self._play_context.become_method
-        orig_become_user = self._play_context.become_user
-        if orig_become is None or orig_become is False:
-            self._play_context.become = True
-        if orig_become_method != 'runas':
-            self._play_context.become_method = 'runas'
-        if orig_become_user is None or 'root':
-            self._play_context.become_user = 'SYSTEM'
             try:
-            shell_result = self._execute_module(module_name='win_shell',
+                shell_result = self._execute_module_with_become(
-                                                module_args=shell_module_args,
+                    module_name='win_shell', module_args=shell_module_args,
-                                                task_vars=task_vars)
+                    task_vars=task_vars, wrap_async=False, use_task=use_task
+                )
                 display.vvv("win_updates: shell wait results: %s"
                             % json.dumps(shell_result))
             except Exception as exc:
                 display.debug("win_updates: Fatal error when running shell "
                               "command, attempting to recover: %s" % to_text(exc))
-        finally:
-            self._play_context.become = orig_become
-            self._play_context.become_method = orig_become_method
-            self._play_context.become_user = orig_become_user
 
         display.vvv("win_updates: ensure the connection is up and running")
         # in case Windows needs to reboot again after the updates, we wait for
@@ -129,6 +124,32 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
         dict_var.update(new)
         return dict_var
 
+    def _execute_module_with_become(self, module_name, module_args, task_vars,
+                                    wrap_async, use_task):
+        orig_become = self._play_context.become
+        orig_become_method = self._play_context.become_method
+        orig_become_user = self._play_context.become_user\
+
+        if not use_task:
+            if orig_become is None or orig_become is False:
+                self._play_context.become = True
+            if orig_become_method != 'runas':
+                self._play_context.become_method = 'runas'
+            if orig_become_user is None or orig_become_user == 'root':
+                self._play_context.become_user = 'SYSTEM'
+
+        try:
+            module_res = self._execute_module(module_name=module_name,
+                                              module_args=module_args,
+                                              task_vars=task_vars,
+                                              wrap_async=wrap_async)
+        finally:
+            self._play_context.become = orig_become
+            self._play_context.become_method = orig_become_method
+            self._play_context.become_user = orig_become_user
+
+        return module_res
+
     def run(self, tmp=None, task_vars=None):
         self._supports_check_mode = True
         self._supports_async = True
@@ -148,6 +169,8 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
         reboot = self._task.args.get('reboot', False)
         reboot_timeout = self._task.args.get('reboot_timeout',
                                              self.DEFAULT_REBOOT_TIMEOUT)
+        use_task = boolean(self._task.args.get('use_scheduled_task', False),
+                           strict=False)
 
         # Validate the options
         try:
@@ -184,7 +207,7 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
         new_module_args = self._task.args.copy()
         new_module_args.pop('reboot', None)
         new_module_args.pop('reboot_timeout', None)
-        result = self._run_win_updates(new_module_args, task_vars)
+        result = self._run_win_updates(new_module_args, task_vars, use_task)
 
         # if the module failed to run at all then changed won't be populated
         # so we just return the result as is
@@ -232,7 +255,8 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
                                        "update install"
                     try:
                         changed = True
-                        self._reboot_server(task_vars, reboot_timeout)
+                        self._reboot_server(task_vars, reboot_timeout,
+                                            use_task)
                     except AnsibleError as exc:
                         result['failed'] = True
                         result['msg'] = "Failed to reboot remote host when " \
@@ -242,7 +266,8 @@ class ActionModule(ActionBase):
 
                 result.pop('msg', None)
                 # rerun the win_updates module after the reboot is complete
-                result = self._run_win_updates(new_module_args, task_vars)
+                result = self._run_win_updates(new_module_args, task_vars,
+                                               use_task)
                 if result.get('failed', False):
                     return result
 

test/integration/targets/win_updates/tasks/tests.yml

@@ -63,12 +63,13 @@
     - update_search_with_log_check.found_update_count is defined
     - update_search_with_log_check_actual.stat.exists == False
 
-- name: search for updates with log output
+- name: search for updates with log output and use scheduled task
   win_updates:
     state: searched
     category_names:
     - CriticalUpdates
     log_path: '{{win_updates_dir}}/update.log'
+    use_scheduled_task: yes
   register: update_search_with_log
 
 - name: get stat of update log file

test/units/plugins/action/test_win_updates.py

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# (c) 2018, Jordan Borean <jborean@redhat.com>
+# GNU General Public License v3.0+ (see COPYING or https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.txt)
+
+# Make coding more python3-ish
+from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
+__metaclass__ = type
+
+import pytest
+
+from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch, MagicMock, mock_open
+from ansible.plugins.action.win_updates import ActionModule
+from ansible.playbook.task import Task
+
+
+class TestWinUpdatesActionPlugin(object):
+
+    INVALID_OPTIONS = (
+        (
+            {"category_names": ["fake category"]},
+            False,
+            "Unknown category_name fake category, must be one of (Application,"
+            "Connectors,CriticalUpdates,DefinitionUpdates,DeveloperKits,"
+            "FeaturePacks,Guidance,SecurityUpdates,ServicePacks,Tools,"
+            "UpdateRollups,Updates)"
+        ),
+        (
+            {"state": "invalid"},
+            False,
+            "state must be either installed or searched"
+        ),
+        (
+            {"reboot": "nonsense"},
+            False,
+            "cannot parse reboot as a boolean: The value 'nonsense' is not a "
+            "valid boolean."
+        ),
+        (
+            {"reboot_timeout": "string"},
+            False,
+            "reboot_timeout must be an integer"
+        ),
+        (
+            {"reboot": True},
+            True,
+            "async is not supported for this task when reboot=yes"
+        )
+    )
+
+    # pylint bug: https://github.com/PyCQA/pylint/issues/511
+    # pylint: disable=undefined-variable
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('task_args, async_val, expected',
+                             ((t, a, e) for t, a, e in INVALID_OPTIONS))
+    def test_invalid_options(self, task_args, async_val, expected):
+        task = MagicMock(Task)
+        task.args = task_args
+        task.async_val = async_val
+
+        connection = MagicMock()
+        play_context = MagicMock()
+        play_context.check_mode = False
+
+        plugin = ActionModule(task, connection, play_context, loader=None,
+                              templar=None, shared_loader_obj=None)
+        res = plugin.run()
+        assert res['failed']
+        assert expected in res['msg']
+
+    BECOME_OPTIONS = (
+        (False, False, "sudo", "root", True, "runas", "SYSTEM"),
+        (False, True, "sudo", "root", True, "runas", "SYSTEM"),
+        (False, False, "runas", "root", True, "runas", "SYSTEM"),
+        (False, False, "sudo", "user", True, "runas", "user"),
+        (False, None, "sudo", None, True, "runas", "SYSTEM"),
+
+        # use scheduled task, we shouldn't change anything
+        (True, False, "sudo", None, False, "sudo", None),
+        (True, True, "runas", "SYSTEM", True, "runas", "SYSTEM"),
+    )
+
+    # pylint bug: https://github.com/PyCQA/pylint/issues/511
+    # pylint: disable=undefined-variable
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('use_task, o_b, o_bmethod, o_buser, e_b, e_bmethod, e_buser',
+                             ((u, ob, obm, obu, eb, ebm, ebu)
+                              for u, ob, obm, obu, eb, ebm, ebu in BECOME_OPTIONS))
+    def test_module_exec_with_become(self, use_task, o_b, o_bmethod, o_buser,
+                                     e_b, e_bmethod, e_buser):
+        def mock_execute_module(self, **kwargs):
+            pc = self._play_context
+            return {"become": pc.become, "become_method": pc.become_method,
+                    "become_user": pc.become_user}
+
+        task = MagicMock(Task)
+        task.args = {}
+
+        connection = MagicMock()
+        connection.module_implementation_preferences = ('.ps1', '.exe', '')
+
+        play_context = MagicMock()
+        play_context.check_mode = False
+        play_context.become = o_b
+        play_context.become_method = o_bmethod
+        play_context.become_user = o_buser
+
+        plugin = ActionModule(task, connection, play_context, loader=None,
+                              templar=None, shared_loader_obj=None)
+        with patch('ansible.plugins.action.ActionBase._execute_module',
+                   new=mock_execute_module):
+            actual = plugin._execute_module_with_become('win_updates', {}, {},
+                                                        True, use_task)
+
+        # always make sure we reset back to the defaults
+        assert play_context.become == o_b
+        assert play_context.become_method == o_bmethod
+        assert play_context.become_user == o_buser
+
+        # verify what was set when _execute_module was called
+        assert actual['become'] == e_b
+        assert actual['become_method'] == e_bmethod
+        assert actual['become_user'] == e_buser