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XP Updates for user without internet

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by techsupportspecialist

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I have a client who has Windows XP Home edition SP1 without internet access. I need to install all of the latest updates for this version of Windows. On a computer connected to a LAN, this is no problem, but I don't know how to do it on a standalone computer. I would like to somehow download all the latest updates to a CD on another computer and then bring the CD to the user's computer. Is there any site that has these updates available for a download like that?

19 replies

by cg it

well you can download em just like a network install via the Windows Update Catalog [ see Windows update and click on the link in the left pane about windows update. about half way down you'll find a blurb about Windows update catalog ] but determining which updates are needed for XP Home is a pain without a baseline to go on. Just take the bloody thing with you and run the updates at your place. Least you'll have a baseline to go on.

by techsupportspecialist

That's a great idea, but I'm unable to take the computer. I need to know if there's a way to get the updates downloaded automatically to disk. Thanks anyway.

by jschein

sure... goto microsoft.com, look up every update you have on your xp machine or another machine and get the KB#'s. Then search microsoft's site for all those files.. download them and burn them to a cd.

Install them on the pc without internet.

by techsupportspecialist

This sounds great, but I'm trying to avoid that. Are there any locations that already has the updates, rather than me having to find every one manually? I don't have the computer in front of me to find the necessary. All I know is that it's XP Home.

by jschein

please do not reject answers that are correct in the future.

NO there is no one spot to say... GET ALL THE UPDATES. You must know which updates you need, search for them and manually download them to cd to install on a pc that does not have internet access.

by thechas

2 ways to go about this.

1. Use the Windows Update Catalog Page:

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/

You need to manually select the updates desired. They are then download to a folder of your choice.
Then, you can burn the files to a CD.
You can select to list the updates in date order.

You will need to install each update manually.

Or, order the free Windows Security Update CD from Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp

Remove any spaces from the pasted links.

The problems with the update CD is that it:
ONLY installs security updates.

Is already out of date.
2 weeks ago, I ran the update on an XP Pro system.
After installing the updates from the CD, I still needed 14MB of critical updates from Microsoft.

Chas

by thechas

Note for D.R.

The Microsoft Security Update CD does include SP1 and Media Player 9.

I think it is in part because both incorporate security fixes.

Chas

by thechas

As a side thought, if the user does NOT have internet access or share files with other people who have internet access, you "need" very few of the updates to XP.

After SP1, there have not been a lot of general purpose fixes.

Even most of the "recommended" updates and features have little impact for a user who does not browse the web.

Personally, I would be more concerned with device driver and application software updates than the bulk of Microsoft updates.

Chas

by thechas

From the Windows Update Catalog page:

For XP Home With SP1, there are 11 "critical" updates and 6 recommended updates.

Looking at the listed updates, there are only 5 of any value to a user with no internet connection.

If we expand our search to just XP with SP1, there are 109 updates listed.
19 of which "may" be of value to your user.

Chas

by cg it

for an IT person who is doing work on other peoples computers, knowing where to get service packs, hotfixes,security patches are a necessity. I'm surprised this person didn't or doesn't know.

by cg it

and as TheChas said, the free CD is ONLY security fixes NOT service packs patches and nonsecurity hotfixes which is why I didn't mention it. XP Home more than XP Pro has had a # of features with patches, bug fixes, and hotfixes that are not security related as well as component fixes such as Windows Media Player that you won't get on a security CD plus the service pack rollups

by techsupportspecialist

I do know where to get service packs, hotfixes, and security patches for Windows. For this particular situation, I was simply looking for an alternative method. Chas was very helpful in doing this me. I'm short a few points right now, but as soon as I get a few more, I will gladly award Chas for his help. Thank you, Chas.

by cg it

Note to Chas: My point was, O/S fixes, patches, hotfix for bugs aren't usually included on a Microsoft Security CD and thinking you've got all the patches is im my opinion wrong. Guy wants to go with that hey no problem.

by techsupportspecialist

Like I said, I was looking for an alternative method. Also, I'm not going with the security CD method. I'm going to use the Catalog on the Windows Update. That should be adequate for what I'm doing. Thank you again, Chas.

by sgt_shultz

hey, check it out. a couple weeks ago i ordered free xp updates cd from microsoft via their website www.microsoft.com. maybe that will help.
i got a usb network adapter and make folks drop pc at my place for updates via my broadband. it works great.
i have learned so much from all of you. i can't possibly keep up with everything all on my own thanks for all advice always...

by robert.marsh

Here's a good tip: Normally when you are online and initiate the Windows Updates, it drops the downloaded file(s) into a Temporary Internet Files folder under the current user's profile. To save time when having to update a few machines, I've simply copied the downloaded files to a separate folder and burned them to a CD or shared them.
If you don't have the cd handy this works great.

by sintax

A trip to your main high street newsagent should resolve your PROBLEM. They SELL technical computer magazines with CD/DVDs that WILL provide what you're looking for. [Sorry can't advertise any particular mag]. You can install the updates & have a good read your leisure.

by cnewton

You can get an update CD from the Microsft website that will include all of the updates, microsoft released these with the dialup user in mind

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