Windows 7 - Download Windows Updates to USB?

Hi,

I'm not sure if the title makes any sense, but I'm trying to find out if its possible to save the Windows 7 updates to a USB drive.

The idea being that if I choose to do a fresh installation (from a bootable USB), then I could also run the updates using the Windows updates saved into a different folder on the same USB, instead of goin online for that.

Can it be done?
Golden

You can save Windows updates from their site:

Microsoft Download Center: Product Family Search Results

You can also create a custom iso image of Win 7 and slipstream updates.

NEW UPDATED Walkthrough. Create Your Own Custom Windows 7.iso - TheWindows7Site

I guess you could create a slipstream with a usb. no sure though...

I download stuff like the full DirectX stand alone installer, Silverlight, Microsoft Security Essentials and service packs. Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer too if there are newer versions available. I don't bother with the individual updates because you have to install them one by one. That can become tedious if there are a lot of them. I let windows update do that as most of them can be downloaded and installed in one go. It ends up being easier and quicker unless you are on dial-up internet. There are beta's on the go for IE9 and Service Pack 1 for windows 7. The final versions should be released in the new year some time soon to I think.

Agreed, Alpha. Usually I create slipstreams for SPs.

Hi Golden...looks like we are on similar missions!
Thanks to you other guys for your input.
Is all this saying that Updates are not kept in a download file somewhere in the system and installed from that...so it is not possible to find where they are stored, save them and reinstall on a new OS install [such as I am about to do ...onto an SSD] ?
Look forward to your replies..Thanks in advance.

Updates are stored somewhere in %tmp% when installed, but sxs is used for file version differences and uninstalls on vista/7. If you want to install updates offline, it is best to download the .msu update files and install via wusa.exe after install, or slipstream directly after extracting the .msu into it's actual .cab file and use pkgmgr to add to a mounted .wim image offline.

Thanks cluberti for your reply. I appreciate your time.
I wasn't game to try some of those exotic [to me anyway] moves you suggested. After the nightmare episodes I experienced with trying to install Windows 7 onto the SSD [finally succeeded], I updated through the usual procedure [successfully]
Thanks again for your reply. AG