The Windows Update feature is the simplest way to keep your computer up to date with Microsoft security fixes and patches. In most cases, Windows Update will notify you when important updates are available and even download and install them automatically. However, automatic Windows updates require an active Internet connection. If your computer does not have an Internet connection, you must manually update Windows. A few relatively easy-to-use third-party programs allow you to download Windows updates on one machine and then install them on another.
Instructions
Download Updates on Internet-Connected Computer
1. Download a free third-part application that allows you to download and install offline Windows updates. WSUS Offline Update, AutoPatcher and Offline-Update all allow you to download security patches, Windows updates and service packs. Save the installation file to your computer. Note -- The Offline-Update website is in German but the application supports English as an installation language.
2. Click "Start" then "Computer." Browse to the folder where you saved the installation file for the offline Windows update application. Double-click the file to launch the installation Wizard. Accept the License Agreement and click "Next" or "Continue" to start the installation. Note -- Ensure you choose the "English" language option if installing Offline-Update.
3. Accept the default installation parameters and follow the prompts to complete the installation of the program. Click "Finish" or "OK" when prompted. Reboot the computer if the installation wizard suggests it.
4. Launch the offline Windows update application. Select the offline computer's version of Windows and default language in the program screen. Click the "Directory" or "Save To" button to choose where you want to save the updates. Click "Retrieve Update," "Start" or "View Available Updates. Wait while the program connects to Microsoft Windows Download center and retrieves available updates for the operating system you selected.
5. Download service packs and security patches for the offline computer first. Review optional updates and download as needed. Once you download all needed updates for the offline computer, close the offline Windows update application.
6. Connect a USB flash drive or external to the computer.
7. Click "Start" and then "Computer." Navigate to the folder where you saved the offline update files. Double-click the folder to open and press the "Ctrl" + "A" keys to select all the update files. Press "Ctrl" + "A" to copy all of the update files to the Windows Clipboard.
8. Browse to the USB flash drive or external hard drive in "Computer" or "Windows Explorer." Double-click the drive letter to open the drive folder. Press "Ctrl" + "V" to paste all the update files to the external device. Disconnect the USB flash drive or external hard drive from the computer.
Transfer Updates to Offline Computer
9. Connect the USB flash drive or external hard drive to the offline computer. Wait while Windows detects and initializes the external storage device.
10. Click "Start" then "Computer" if using Windows Vista or Windows 7. If using Windows XP, click "Start" then "My Computer."
11. Navigate to the external storage device and double-click the drive letter to view the drive's contents.
12. Click the first update file in the list to start the installer. Follow the prompts to install the update on the computer. If prompted to restart the computer, click "NO" until you install other updates.
13. Install other updates from the external drive as needed. Reboot the computer once you install all of the updates.
