Saving Windows 7 Updates ..

Thanks to this thread, "Grumble with Windows Update," I learned that you can simply copy the folder, C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download, and all its contents to other Win7 computers.

The only caveat is that MS names the subfolders in a manner that won't make it easy for you to determine what updates are all there, but if you start off with a clean directory and note what updates you download you can then be confident on the updates you have there.

You can also download the updates individually with standalone installers from the MS Download Center (or whatever it's called) using your browser and save them to a folder on your hard drive. Then you will have them organized by their KB numbers and you can, of course, save them to some external device. However, it's so easy to just use windows update, unless you are on limited bandwidth, or doing tons of installs, I don't see much point to saving the updates separately.

Internet speed limitations will make life difficult for you.
Save what you can and don't be surprised when some of the updates don't work (and that you don't have other updates).

You'll have to do a lot of work and experimenting to find the method that works the best for you. If you're not paying for the bandwidth, it may be best (easiest) to run the updates overnight from Windows Update.

2 other alternatives:
- this google search may help windows update notification - Google Search
- Set the system to "notify" only - then download the individual updates as needed.

poin2 said:

I would not rely on dragging around the SoftwareDistribution/Download folder expecting things to update correctly.

Why do you state this when others in the thread I linked above mentioned total success in doing just this? Have you personally done this and had problems?