Any way to point Windows Updates to a local directory?

I now have 3 W7 PCs (and a few XPs I want to update), and want a couple more, but updating & keeping them that way with my limited-bandwidth/speed ISP is a real challenge! I've tried to utilize the MS Update Catalog so that I only have to download individual updates Once, and I recently found Brink's excellent tutorial on getting a download directly from the WU dialog, but still this is such a chore!

I assume that professionals make updating easier by using MS Update Catalog and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) but I don't run Windows Server and don't want to buy Server and build another computer just for this task.

Can anyone suggest a method to update a PC from a local directory still using the WU dialog? As it is, I have to look at the updates WU is requesting, then open my download directory of update files, find (or download afresh) the right one(s), and then execute them one-by-one, rebooting the PC sometimes, blah, blah it's painful as heck!

Checking all the updates you want and letting WU take-over is so much easier, except that I can't afford either the time OR the bandwidth to do these downloads for each/every computer I own. Is there another way?

Hello!

Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done. It is possible, and I have written a few program scraps to prove viability, and early results are good for this being possible (very simply, ask Windows Update to perform a search for updates, but download only (this is very easy to do), scrape the SoftwareDistribution folder, and implant onto another computer (and before you try, you CANNOT just drop in this folder - it requires using parts of the contents etc. etc.))

So it does appear to be possible for a program (but not a human unless you have a very good knowledge of the SoftwareDistribution folder)

However, demand for such a program is not great, and I have only a limited amount of time to program. I literally have 27 programs for Windows Update bits and bobs which I want to make. Sadly I do not have the time for all of these, or this one. (Currently I am making an automated fixing tool for the 0x800B0100 error code, and a tool to automate certain procedures in the registry which are too complicated (and dangerous) for an average poster to perform)

The only thing you can use to simplify downloading is WSUS Offline: WSUS Offline Update - Update Microsoft Windows and Office without an Internet connection

However, you will need to invest in all of the updates, so watch your downloading total.

I am really sorry that I could not be of more help, but unfortunately, this program is not going to be made

Richard

niemiro said:

Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done....unfortunately, this program is not going to be made

Well at least, Richard, you are demonstrating to me that

1. My interest is shared, and

2. It ain't easy to do!

I had assumed as much but figured if anyone would know if something was available to help in this regard, it would be the sevenforums folks, particularly as I'd found Brink's tutorial here and I'd never seen anything like that before either.

Awhile back I spent a lot of time trying to understand WSUS Offline Update but in the end it seemed that tool required Windows Server anyway, or maybe it was "all the updates" that turned me-off to it, I don't recall.

Anyway I appreciate your kind and thorough reply!