Windows Update Question

[Ultragames]

I have all the programs i install when i reinstall XP saved on my hard drive. (At least the ones i need to download) Drivers, small programs that are hard to track donw on the web, ect. What i would love to have, is the exe version, of the critical Windows Updates. (All of them, not just the ones i dont have installed) So that i can install all the critical updates before ever connecting to the web. Or if i ever need to reinstall XP when at a LAN party, where i have no internet.

The only problem is, is that the Windows Updater, only offers them to be automatic installs. I want exe's. i know they are out there, but where?

Thanks.

[oracleguy]

You should be able to find network distributions of all updates (basically meaning they have an offline installer) through Microsoft's download site: http://download.microsoft.com/

Of course a good LAN party host would include a big file server with patches. ;) That's what I did back when I hosted 'em professionally. Had two servers full of patches, drivers, etc. in case people needed them. And we had Internet access on a public machine so people could get files if they needed one we didn't have. I never allowed net access to guest machines (except for sponsors) so that people would play games locally only.

[Ultragames]

Thank you sir.

[oracleguy]

No problem, what that site is really nice for is service packs. That way you don't have to wait for them to download each time, especially if your on dial-up.

[Ultragames]

What i did, was open up the Windows Updater, on IE, and brought up the list of all the updates i have installed. Then searched for them with the call numbers, and downloaded them for next time. (Which should be soon. New mother board in a week or two. )

Thanks again.

[Roy Sinclair]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/community/centers/management/windowsupdate_faq.mspx

The very first answer on that FAQ will tell you how to get those updates the easy way.