Re-installing the windows , any way to save the updates ?

[TheProKiller]

Hello ,

So I'm gonna reinstall the windows , the problem is .. is there anyway to backup the windows updates and stuff like that so I don't have to redownload all of them again " my connection speed sucks " I know I can just download them from microsoft's site individually but I didn't do that .. so if there's no way to back them up now , maybe there's a way that I can download all of them packed or something and save them so I don't need to redownload every time I reinstall the windows ?

Thanks in advance

 

[Darkbreeze]

Not really, no. Even if you saved the folder they were originally cached into with the original installation files, it's improbable you could know exactly what order they should be installed in to avoid installation errors and other complications. The best thing to do, for the future, is get a good back program like Acronis True Image, or another similar app, do a clean install, do all the possible updates, and then save a disc image with only the clean windows installation and updates on it so the next time you decide to start fresh you already have a backup to restore from that will be an exact copy of your system at that point in time when you did it. As long as you don't make any hardware changes between the time you make the backup and and future restore date you should be fine and even if you do, so long as they are not major changes you're probably still ok.

 

[iceclock]

nope

 

[TheProKiller]

Not really, no. Even if you saved the folder they were originally cached into with the original installation files, it's improbable you could know exactly what order they should be installed in to avoid installation errors and other complications. The best thing to do, for the future, is get a good back program like Acronis True Image, or another similar app, do a clean install, do all the possible updates, and then save a disc image with only the clean windows installation and updates on it so the next time you decide to start fresh you already have a backup to restore from that will be an exact copy of your system at that point in time when you did it. As long as you don't make any hardware changes between the time you make the backup and and future restore date you should be fine and even if you do, so long as they are not major changes you're probably still ok.

Thanks but I don't understand everything , this means the windows will be with it's updates ? if so how can this be done on a DVD which only supports 4.7 gb ?

And why shouldn't I just do it now on my windows while having all the updates already installed ?

 

[iceclock]

it doesnt come with updates u need to manually update the updates within windows after installation

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks but I don't understand everything , this means the windows will be with it's updates ? if so how can this be done on a DVD which only supports 4.7 gb ?

And why shouldn't I just do it now on my windows while having all the updates already installed ?

You can't retrieve already installed updates, and apply them to a new install.

 

[iceclock]

yep. the only ones that come with pre-installed updates are the non legal type versions of windows.

retail copys dont come with updates sorry bud

 

[rhapdog]

This is both not possible, and possible at the same time. Let me explain.

No, you cannot retrieve the updates from your installation of Windows. Well, depends on your version of Windows.

There are 2 options that I am aware of:

Option #1, if you are using an OS prior to Windows 8, then you can download a utility that will allow you to use your original install disc, and it will extract what is needed from your current running OS to allow you to include all updates you've done so far, as well as Service Packs, etc., and create your own streamlined, auto-install disc that will also include your product key (automatically entered for you), and all the drivers for the hardware you currently have installed, if you choose to set it up that way. There are separate utilities for XP and Vista/7. There may be one for 8, but I haven't seen it yet. I'll have to check. 8 re-installs itself pretty nicely without too much issue, though. The one for Vista/7 is called rt-7-lite, I believe.

Option #2 is to get the updates installed by using WSUS Offline Update, which allows you to have all your needed updates burned to a DVD or USB flash drive, and they can be installed from there. The tricky part of this is, you have to download the updates.

However, you don't have to go in an pick and choose updates to do this. You can select your operating system, whether or not you want MS Office included in the updates, etc., and download them all for placing on offline media for streamlining the updates later.

The WSUS Offline Update software will automatically scan your Windows installation and determine what updates are needed, just like the built-in Windows Update feature, and then it will install those updates.

Do a web search for WSUS Offline Update at the site afterdawn.com and you should find what you're looking for.

The downside is that you have to have a good internet connection to get these updates downloaded the first time. You can do like I do and take your laptop, borrow a laptop, whatever, and go to a place that has good WiFi, or go to a friends house and use their broadband and their computer, something.

The Offline Update is generally updated once a month or so, as far as I can recall. I just used it this week to re-install XP on someone's laptop, and Vista on someone else's machine. Nice tool to have on hand when you help people fix their machines.

 

[TheProKiller]

This is both not possible, and possible at the same time. Let me explain.

No, you cannot retrieve the updates from your installation of Windows. Well, depends on your version of Windows.

There are 2 options that I am aware of:

Option #1, if you are using an OS prior to Windows 8, then you can download a utility that will allow you to use your original install disc, and it will extract what is needed from your current running OS to allow you to include all updates you've done so far, as well as Service Packs, etc., and create your own streamlined, auto-install disc that will also include your product key (automatically entered for you), and all the drivers for the hardware you currently have installed, if you choose to set it up that way. There are separate utilities for XP and Vista/7. There may be one for 8, but I haven't seen it yet. I'll have to check. 8 re-installs itself pretty nicely without too much issue, though. The one for Vista/7 is called rt-7-lite, I believe.

Option #2 is to get the updates installed by using WSUS Offline Update, which allows you to have all your needed updates burned to a DVD or USB flash drive, and they can be installed from there. The tricky part of this is, you have to download the updates.

However, you don't have to go in an pick and choose updates to do this. You can select your operating system, whether or not you want MS Office included in the updates, etc., and download them all for placing on offline media for streamlining the updates later.

The WSUS Offline Update software will automatically scan your Windows installation and determine what updates are needed, just like the built-in Windows Update feature, and then it will install those updates.

Do a web search for WSUS Offline Update at the site afterdawn.com and you should find what you're looking for.

The downside is that you have to have a good internet connection to get these updates downloaded the first time. You can do like I do and take your laptop, borrow a laptop, whatever, and go to a place that has good WiFi, or go to a friends house and use their broadband and their computer, something.

The Offline Update is generally updated once a month or so, as far as I can recall. I just used it this week to re-install XP on someone's laptop, and Vista on someone else's machine. Nice tool to have on hand when you help people fix their machines.

My windows is 8 Pro and it's just a digital code I bought online , I installed it through here : http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only
" I've windows 8.1 right now and gonna re-install 8 pro and start all the updates,upgrading to 8.1 and so "

I didn't get what you mean sadly :\ it's a bit complicated but thanks anyway

 

[Darkbreeze]

ProKiller, where you are located, do you have a fairly fast internet connection or are you somewhere that for whatever reason you're still on dial up or a slow level of dsl?

 

[TheProKiller]

ProKiller, where you are located, do you have a fairly fast internet connection or are you somewhere that for whatever reason you're still on dial up or a slow level of dsl?

Yes my connection speed sucks , I'm from Syria :\

 

[Darkbreeze]

Really? At the risk of offending anybody I'd say sorry to hear that, just because I know it's a dangerous stressful time there right now. So I understand about the downloading of the updates now and why it's such a hassle and time investment. Unfortunately though, as I said before, there is no way I know of save the updates for later installation after a clean install. However, and I make no promises as to the success you'll have with this but if you go to windows\software distribution\downloads you will find the cached folders for many installations including windows update. Each folder, which will have names like 1d4f0979f83eb471c91970e8f1bae405 or similar names, will contain .cab files that are windows cabinet files used for installation of updates and patches. If you save all these to disc and then by process of trial and error install as many of them as you are able you may at least minimize the number of updates you have to download. I don't recommend this as an option if you want a smooth clean new installation, but I've done it before in situations similar to yours. If you are technically able to wade through there and get what you need you might save yourself some time. It really would be better to download them in the correct order though. Good luck to you.

 

[USAFRet]

For anyone referencing this question and multiple answers. The only correct answer so far was given by rhapdog.

USAFRet, iceclock and darkbreeze are explicitly and completely wrong. The question asked was is it possible to download all of the updates for a particular OS ONCE for later, multiple use.

The question asked (in this now 18 month old thread) was:
"Re-installing the windows , any way to save the updates ?"

Intimating...."Can I save the updates from this install I already have, so I don't have to download them again"

What you are suggesting is perfectly fine.
You can download them all in one block however you wish...WSUS or whatever.

That was not the question that was asked.

 

[USAFRet]

For anyone referencing this question and multiple answers. The only correct answer so far was given by rhapdog.

USAFRet, iceclock and darkbreeze are explicitly and completely wrong. The question asked was is it possible to download all of the updates for a particular OS ONCE for later, multiple use.

The question asked (in this now 18 month old thread) was:
"Re-installing the windows , any way to save the updates ?"

Intimating...."Can I save the updates from this install I already have, so I don't have to download them again"

What you are suggesting is perfectly fine.
You can download them all in one block however you wish...WSUS or whatever.

That was not the question that was asked.

As I previously just said. Yours and the other answers are explicitly wrong. rhapdog provided the ONLY correct answer.

Your answer was wrong, and your reading of the question was also wrong. The exact question asked was: "maybe there's a way that I can download all of them packed or something and save them so I don't need to redownload every time I reinstall the windows ?"

That was a secondary question, within the text.

My answer, verbatim, relating to the original question:
"You can't retrieve already installed updates, and apply them to a new install. "

Do you have an issue with that specific bit of text?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Exactly. YOU loop42, are the one that did not read the question correctly. The OP, again, on a very old post, asked if the updates ALREADY downloaded, could be saved so as to NOT HAVE TO DOWNLOAD THEM AGAIN. Your premise is based on having to DOWNLOAD them, which is exactly what he did NOT want to do because of his limited internet connection. Perhaps the issue is a matter of interpretation, not misinformation.

In reality the only answer here that was explicity wrong, was yours, since you did not offer any solution that would not require downloading the updates.

 

[rhapdog]

WSUS was not the only method I mentioned. The other was to slipstream the updates into a new install ISO. That saves your current downloaded and already installed updates. At the time of my posting, it was available only for Windows 7 and prior, but is now available for everything up to Windows 8.1. It's not yet available for Windows 10 as far as I know.

So, the answer as of today is, whether you are running XP, Vista, 7, 8, or 8.1, you can use software to slipstream your installation to restore again later with all updates up to that point.

Just do a simple web search for "Slipstream install Windows XX" and replace XX with the version of Windows that you are running. Voila!

Not only does this method give you all the updates that you've downloaded with Windows, you can also choose to save your drivers to new install media as well, so that you don't have to reinstall all your drivers for your hardware the next time you do a re-install.

 

[COLGeek]

As a reminder, feel free to disagree with someone. But, do so without attacking others and becoming rude. Civility is required at all times.

Attack positions, not people. Use facts, links, and cite your work (so to speak).

Also, posting to old links is highly discouraged.