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Update Windows from a CD with Offline-Update
Posted by Kevin Purdy at 2:30 AM on January 23, 2008
Windows only: Ever since every sysadmin's favorite offline Windows patching program AutoPatcher had the plug pulled on it by Microsoft, those without constant Internet access or looking to keep multiple Windows boxes up to date have been looking for a valid replacement. Offline-Update, a free download for Windows 2000 and newer, may not have the same easy-to-grok interface, but it does give you the same basic functionality. Choose updates for the OS or Microsoft Office program to download and then create a burn-able ISO. Pop the Offline-Update CD into any computer and an auto-run program will ask you to create backups and install the updates. I haven't had time to do serious testing with the update program, but everything went smoothly in creating an update CD from Vista Home Premium. Offline-Update is a free download for Windows 2000 and newer systems only.
Tags: featured windows download | update | updates | windows | windows vista | windows xp
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
ajax622
Posted 3:34 AM 23/1/08
Wow, I was looking for something like this last night while trying to reformat an old HP with Windows XP SP2. It had a nasty trojan that I think had terminal access (made the parents switch to Mac which I am not a huge fan of). Anyways, after restoring to the HP factory partition, Windows needed 92 updates. After updating everything, I still found Python installed on the new copy of Windows. It's the craziest virus that I have ever seen. I think it must have infected the HP recovery partition. I am going to call HP tonight and try to request XP discs because I can't imagine that using this offline update would even work. I am thinking that I will have delete both partitions on HDD, use eraser to wipe HD clean, then use XP discs.
Help anyone? I don't want to wait for some snail mail discs.
ajax622
nakedcode
Posted 4:34 AM 23/1/08
I've been using this for a while and I find it to be rather good. One thing to point out. If you look at the autopatcher site you'll see that they have a new version in early beta so its not gone as such.
Disclaimer - this was correct when I blogged about this a while ago here dunno how up to date I am :-)
nakedcode
skadus
Posted 4:34 AM 23/1/08
@dfrazee: Aw, man. You didn't specify that they were ISO files of all the *security updates*. You made me hopeful that they finally made Windows OS ISOs for download on their website (just add CD key and activation, and voila!). :/
I should've known better, but still. ;p
skadus
qbix
Posted 4:34 AM 23/1/08
There is also Autopatcher updater, by the same guy who created Autopatcher. This app, which is still in beta, downloads the necessary updates and patches directly from Microsoft, thus getting around the issue of redistributing MS software.
qbix
dfrazee
Posted 4:34 AM 23/1/08
Microsoft has pre-compiled downloadable ISO update images available for all operating systems going back to Win2k. While it doesn't give you the ability to pick and choose which updates to download, this offers a quick and convenient way to download updates for a system that's not tied to the 'net .
dfrazee
whereisian
Posted 4:34 AM 23/1/08
For the curious, here are the instructions / article about the script.
[www.heise-security.co.uk]
Very interesting. Thanks Lifehacker
(My first comment failed to post. Hmmm.)
whereisian
whereisian
Posted 4:34 AM 23/1/08
For the curious, here is the instruction page / article about the script.
[www.heise-security.co.uk]
Very interesting. Thanks Lifehacker
whereisian
btgoss
Posted 10:15 AM 22/1/08
I wonder if any of the solutions can help with my problem. I need to install Movie Maker 2.1, and I can't. It is not part of my SP2 MCE install. Which is weird, and it can't be downloaded.
Anyone have any suggestions?
btgoss
ajax622
Posted 10:14 AM 22/1/08
@Woodsyx: I guess so. I was hoping I could find a way to clean the HDD using the HP recovery partion. Just for some clarification, I am not a total noob and have turned off Sytem Restore. Somehow this f@cking virus is in the registry or a driver.
ajax622
Woodsyx
Posted 9:59 AM 22/1/08
@ajax622: One could argue that since you have already paid for a copy of windows downloading ISO's of the install disks is legal, so you could go that way. Or you could try going to your local computer repair store and see if they will give you burned copy's of the disks.
Woodsyx
qbix
Posted 7:34 AM 23/1/08
@LastVigilante: Yes, it downloads all files, then runs autopatcher. Two applications, one checks for a new autopatcher engine as well as windows updates and downloads anything it needs. Once that's done, you close the updater and run autopatcher. All files reside in the same folder so you can burn a cd and autopatch any other machines that need updating.
qbix
LastVigilante
Posted 7:34 AM 23/1/08
AutoPatcher saved my ass last week, I was sad to hear they got shut down by Microsoft. When LH first introduced AutoPatcher I downloaded and archived the latest update files, because my home computer running XP hadn't been online or updated since college in 2004. This past week we finally got DSL and I wasn't looking forward to having Windows Update search, download, and install the 200+ critical updates I was needing, so I used my archived AutoPatcher files which saved a huge headache! It was so easy to use, a well done package.
@qbix: If the "new" AutoPatcher downloads the updates from Microsoft, doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose of an offline update? Or does it actually download them and archive them for your installing on any machine? If so, thats good to hear.
LastVigilante
SizzleBeast
Posted 11:33 AM 23/1/08
@AJAX622
I'm just going to go off the assumption that you do not know what python is. I really hope so. Its a scripting language, always install on HP systems. I am pretty sure that they use it to customize the install.
[www.python.org]
Take a look
SizzleBeast
aeronaut
Posted 7:44 PM 22/1/08
How does this work with MS Windows Genuine Advantage? Does the offline updater work outside of WGA before loading updates?
aeronaut
ajax622
Posted 4:06 PM 23/1/08
@SizzleBeast: Gee you are right, you know more about what's on the computer right in front than me. Over 20 viruses and hidden installations of scripting languages, yea you are probably right just HP stuff.
ajax622
doctorfrog
Posted 7:58 PM 23/1/08
@aeronaut: I personally do not have WGA installed (nor will I ever). The script appeared to download files just fine, then update everything just fine. Additionally, WGA doesn't seem to have been installed on my system, either, but since I've never had WGA installed, I am not sure what to look for. A tentative 'thumbs up' from me on this.
doctorfrog
zabolyx
Posted 8:19 AM 24/1/08
AJAX....
Python is not a virus... Your HP recovery partition should be safe (I've yet to find a virus that can invade it unlike MS Restore point files). Python is a scripting language for web pages. It should be on every install of windows XP. Don't worry about it. Your MBR is more likely to be infected than the HP Recovery Partition. If you can make a set of restore discs with the OS installed.
Usually under PC Tools or HP on the Start Menu. Restore windows using the Partition then build new discs. Then format the drive (AEFDisk - del all) then use the restore discs to rebuild the recovery partition and windows.
zabolyx
aeronaut
Posted 2:11 PM 24/1/08
From what I've been able to determine, WGA now comes in one of the first on-line updates from MS. It appeared after I updated I loaded XP from a disk I got back in '05.
aeronaut
tlingitsoldier
Posted 1:33 PM 29/1/08
Does anyone know or does it say anywhere how far back these updates go? For instance, does this program just assume that the major service packs are already installed and start from there? I've already downloaded and used it but I didn't know if it saw what I already have on my computer and left those alone or downloaded everything.
tlingitsoldier