Windows 7: Manual installation of all software updates?

Hi!

I have a new computer that I want to keep off the internet.



However, I want to keep all the software on it updated.

Is that possible? Can I manually install all software (including Windows) updates?

If yes, then how?

Hi blankblack

You can but you would still need another pc with internet access to download the software updates.Programs are easy you can just check the programs websites for any updates to software, download to another pc, copy the installers to a Usb stick or external Hdd then install on your other pc.A lot of work really.
Windows updates too can be downloaded in standalone form from the Microsoft website.Again its a lot of work especially finding out what updates you need as you wont be able to run Windows Update to check on Kb numbers but yes in theory you can and some people do.

Danny

Hi,

I'm not entirely sure about this, but some updates might require an on-line connection in order to verify that the software is genuine.

Perhaps spme of the update guru's can confirm or deny this.

Regards,
Golden

Good Point

And thus brings the issue of activating.It would have to be a phone call job

Danny

Thank you for your responses.

If I am keeping the computer off the internet, would the Windows updates really be necessary? If yes, then why so?

Hello!

Some Windows Updates help to improve stability, and you would want those.
Some are security updates for things like exploitation via memory sticks, and you would want those.
However, the majority are to prevent you from exploitation via an internet connection.

An important question would be whether you plan to connect this computer to a network, or whether there is a physical air gap between this computer and the internet.

Activation and validation don't require an internet connection as long as you activate over the phone.

Windows Updates won't require an internet connection to activate or anything like that - they don't actually check.

This is the reason that downloading via the Microsoft Website required to check validation before downloading but via Windows Update doesn't. Windows Update has already done it the first time, but Microsoft want a quick check before they give you updates which don't require activation - they are offline installers after all.

BTW, do you have a server? Would WSUS do the job for you? If you don't know what WSUS is, then it won't

If you can give me a little bit more information, I might be able to help you with some nicer solutions, such as WSUS Offline etc. And do you have a physical air gap?

Richard

Thank you for your response niemiro.

Yes, there is a physical air gap.

I do not have a server and do not know what WSUS is or what it does.