Question

Is There A Way To Consolidate Windows Update Files For Futeure Re-Installs?

Asked by: njb

Due to my computer not booting up (probably a boot sector problem), I recently had to reinstall XP Home from my original CD, which I got many years ago. It took me a good 2 hours to keep running Windows update and then restarting to get all of the updates installed to date. Is there a way that I can get those update installation files in one file that I can store on my external drive, or burn to a CD, so I do not have to go through such a long update process in the future? If so, are they still somewhere on my compurter or do I have to download them from Microsoft?

Thanks in advance:)
njb

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Asked On
2007-02-27 at 05:11:12ID22415697
Tags

consolidate

,

updates

,

windows

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
4
Points
250
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: jcarrsmithPosted on 2007-02-27 at 05:15:34ID: 18616457

Hey sir...

Check the Microsoft Download Center page and see if this satisfies what you're looking for:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Browse.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryid=7

 

by: sirbountyPosted on 2007-02-27 at 05:17:11ID: 18616468

 

by: younghvPosted on 2007-02-27 at 05:22:44ID: 18616499

I tested this a few months ago.
It actually uses the current installation residing on your computer (all updates included) to create a Boot CD that will restore your OS to exactly the point it is at right now.

Check it out:

Slipstream

http://smithii.com/?q=node/12


Vic

 

by: Shift-3Posted on 2007-02-27 at 09:11:19ID: 18618597

AutoPatcher is a friendly tool for this.
http://www.autopatcher.com/whatsautopatcher/

There's also an older vbscript method called VBSHF, but it is no longer maintained and is harder to set up.
http://www.vbshf.com/vbshf/forum/forums/forum-view.asp?fid=31

 

by: njbPosted on 2007-02-27 at 13:25:08ID: 18620618

Thank you all. I am trying to learn how to slipstream to get the CD done. Your links have given me a god start.

 

by: younghvPosted on 2007-02-27 at 13:34:51ID: 18620668

njb,
Thank you for the points.
When I used the smith site, it took about 20 minutes to create the file and then a few more to burn the CD.

After creating the CD, I turned around to one of the computers on our Maintenance bench and it ran the entire load in about 12-14 minutes.

Very impressive.

Good Luck,
Vic

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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