download windows updates as install files?

[yatzr]

Does anyone know if there is any way to do this. Basically, I'm gonna reformat pretty soon, and I hate having to sit there and download all the updates for 2 days. I reformat quite a bit actually, and it would be nice if I could just stick all those updates on a disk or something. So, is there anyway to get those updates as install files? Thanks

[Chamaeleontidae]

You can download updates from Microsoft... http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/s...n&categoryid=7

A little off topic, but it might help you. You might consider ghosting (using Symantec's Ghost product.) your machine in it's basic format with the service paks installed. Then you can go back to that image, and it will save you a lot of trouble.

[bacon_masta]

I found this tutorial on another forum I'm a member of, http://redday.org. This explains how to make it so that the security updates and whatnot are INCLUDED on the cd and put on during the install. This has been incredibly helpful for me, hope it is for you.

For those of you who have a copy of Windows XP but want the new security packs included, I thought I'd inform you of an easy way to slipstream service packs into Windows XP.

This would be a wise choice since various studies have shown that computers can be compromised in under 10 minutes on new fresh Windows XP installations that don't have either of the service packs.

So, this guide will show how you can slipstream service packs with ease!

First you need to download the service packs from the Microsoft website, which you can find at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/

1). For SP2, you can specifically visit this page.

Be sure to download the "Network Install" so that you can have the executible installer.

2). Next, after you have downloaded the installers, put them in an easy to remember folder name with no spaces in the name, for example C:\XP-SP2\.

3). Next copy your entire XP-CD to your hard drive, again, use a simple folder name, such as C:\XPCD\.

4). After you have chosen where to put the installer, open Windows command prompt (Sart> Run> cmd)

5). Next change the directory to the folder that has the service pack installer (cd \foldername).

6). Now type the the filename of the service pack (for example WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU) and then type the command /integrate:drive/path

Here is an example:

C:\XP-SP2\WindowsXP-KC837595-SP2- /integrate:C:\XPCD

NOTE: If you get an error message telling you that it cannot integrate because the destination already has integrated software updates, then you won't be able to slipstream SPs. This is common with some OEMs such as those from Dell, Gateway, etc.

7). After the files are extracted and integrated, you will receive a confirmation box, and Voila! You now have a service pack slipstreamed copy of Windows XP!

[cyrnel]

Don't have much time to talk about it but if you're responsible for many systems look into Software Update Server.

http://www.microsoft.com/sus

[Slavakion]

Even better...

[yatzr]

Originally Posted by Slavakion

Even better...

Wow, that's pretty awesome. I'm gonna have to put one of those together sometime. Thanks for all the help.