Update Windows in a Snap Without an Internet Connection

Autopatcher is a free program that allows you archive Microsoft updates and automate the install of dozens of patches and security updates in one step.

There's nothing more frustrating than opening up a new computer and plugging it into the internet only to realize that you need to download 97 security updates. It gets worse if you ever decide to reformat your hard drive or use the manufacturer restore process. Every update since you brought your computer home has to be downloaded again. The process can take hours even on a fast internet connection. Installing all the necessary updates on a dial-up connection is almost impossible.

Doesn't Microsoft have offline update installers?

Yes, but each service pack or update has to be installed individually. And in most cases, you still need an internet connection to Windows Update to tell you what updates your system needs. Autopatcher keeps track of all the details and figures out what patches need to be installed on your system.

Getting started

First download the Autopatcher updater program and launch it, called apup.exe on a computer connected to the internet. This program downloads and archives Microsoft updates and patches to your hard drive. The main Autopatcher program which installs the updates, called the Autopatcher engine, will already be selected. Next, select the versions of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office that you want to be able to update. The more updates that you select, the more space on your hard drive will be used. Click next and Autopatcher will download all of the necessary updates from Microsoft. This part of the process can take some time depending on the speed of your internet connection.

Autopatcher programmers cannot bundle the updates into their program because Microsoft does not allow any other company to distribute their updates.

I've downloaded all of the updates, how do I use it?

After the updates are downloaded, copy the Autopatcher folder, named apup by default, to a CD,DVD, or USB drive and take it to the computer that needs the updates. Install the latest Service Pack from Microsoft first if it has not already been installed and run the main Autopatcher program, Autopatcher.exe.

Autopatcher will scan the system and bring up a selection screen of all of the needed updates from which to choose. Autopatcher will then install all of the necessary updates sequentially without an internet connection and only require one reboot after they are installed.

Registry Tweaks too

The updater program will also offer several registry tweaks and enhancements like speeding up Windows network browsing and .zip file handling. The program can also disable several annoying Windows features like the Welcome screen.

For more details, visit the Autopatcher web site.