How to Download Microsoft Updates for Offline Installation

To keep your computer secure, Microsoft recommends downloading the latest Windows updates. Typically, you either visit the Windows update website or go to your start menu and select Windows Update. These methods require you to have an active Internet connection while you download and install the updates. What if you want to download the updates for an offline installation? For instance, you may need the updates on a computer that doesn't have an Internet connection at the moment.

There are two different ways to obtain Microsoft's updates so you can install them later. Both are free and easy to use. The first method is easier and is somewhat similar to using the Windows update site. The second method gives you more control over which downloads you need, especially if you are downloading updates for a different computer.

Offline Update

The first thing you need to do is install WSUS Offline Update or Offline Update. WSUS Offline Update is the most recent version, but if you need an older version for your operating system for any reason, download Offline Update. Double-click the program to start the installation. Follow the wizard prompts to complete the installation.

Open WSUS Offline Update or Offline Update. Select your operating system and language. Under the Options section, choose whether to download service packs or not. You can also automatically create an ISO image of the downloads to place on a DVD later. Another option is to copy the files directly to a USB drive. Click the Office Suites tab to choose your version of Microsoft Office if you want to install Microsoft Office updates as well.

Press Start when you are ready to begin the download process. It may take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to download updates depending on your connection speed and the number of downloads you need.

Microsoft Update Catalog

Before you download updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog, you must be using the latest version of Internet Explorer. When prompted, download the Active X control required to use the site.

This method requires a little knowledge about the updates your system needs. Enter your update search term in the search box and press Search. For best results, search by your operating system or application. For instance, for Windows 7, type Windows 7 as your search term. Sort the results by Last Updated by clicking the category. If you are looking for a specific type, search by Classification or type the name of the update as your search term. For instance, for service packs, type the name of your operating system plus the words "service pack."

Press Add beside every update you want to download. When finished, press View Basket at the top of the page. Press Download to download every update in your cart. Choose where to save the downloads. The download time varies based on the downloads you choose.

If you use this method to install all updates available for your computer, keep a note of the date range you download. This will make choosing updates later easier.