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Thread ID: 14804	2002-01-19 12:48:00	TIP. . . How to back-up Windows Security Patches	Guest (0)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
31924	2002-01-19 12:48:00	...following a fresh install of any Windows Operating System, the first port-of-call for most users is the 'Windows Update Site' to reinstall their critical System 'patches'. However, and as many users will be aware, Microsoft is in the process of withdrawing support for (older) programmes and Operating Systems. It remains to be seen if this will include losing 'Windows Update' - for *those* particular Systems - which, until now, has been a relatively simple and easy method of identifying, downloading and applying the 'patches' required for any specific OS. Hmm...what to do (???) The following (alternative) method of downloading 'patches' has been with us for some time and it is a viable option should a worse-case-scenario with the Windows 'Update' Site eventuate. Unable to locate any Web Site with clear instructions - i have written some myself: Step 1: Visit Windows 'Product Updates' page, click 'installation history' tab and 'save' a copy of the patches that have been downloaded - or are *available* for your System. http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ Step 2: Create a new Folder inside Windows Explorer (maybe in a Downloads directory?) and name it, for example, MS PATCHES. Step 3: Visit Microsoft's Corporate Site and download all the patches [from Step 1] into the MS PATCHES Folder [from Step 2]. As follows: [i] corporate.windowsupdate.microsoft.com [ii] The site will ask to install an ActiveX Control (same as the Windows 'Update' site does). Click 'Accept'. [iii] Searches may be done by either content, drivers, or updates, etc. I recommend clicking onto the 'Search' option. [iv] A 'Software Updates' search-page will open: (a) leave 'keyword' blank, (b) 'check' the box for your particular Operating System, (c) in the 'Update Type' box one has a choice: I recommend just 'check' the Critical box (although there is multiple choice for 'recommended updates' 'Service packs' and 'tools' also). (v) Click 'Next'. A new page (based on choices made in [iv] above) will list all the options available for download. [vi] Compare this list with the 'copy' you made in Step 1 and then 'check' the boxes for any or all of the patches required. (Note - there is no limit to number of choices.) [vii] Click 'Next' and then click the 'Browse' button on the new page. Drill down and select the MS PATCHES Folder already prepared in Step 2, above, and click 'Okay'. [viii] Click 'Download' and a 'download progress window' will open as all the 'patches' and items selected are downloaded to the MS PATCHES Folder. [ix] Windows will automatically create new sub-folders, one for each of the patches or items selected, and also a 'Log' of the 'patches' and items downloaded [wucorp_v15.log]. Step 4: Each of the patches are .exe files and may be installed with a simple 'double click' following any future fresh install of the Operating System - an enormous time saver and (potentially) a System saver if/when 'Update' support is withdrawn for a particular OS. Ideally, patches should be backed up to a secure storage device in the event of a reformat or Hard Drive failure. TIP: some users have a (similar) practice of downloading and keeping a back-up copy of their Internet Explorer for quick reinstalls. Instructions for that method are at the following: windows.about.com Cheers!!! e_	Guest (0)
31925	2002-01-19 17:06:00	...and, for users who are interested to learn when their 'Product's Lifecycle' ends, see the following: support.microsoft.com e_	Guest (0)
31926	2002-01-19 22:32:00	..or get XP.	Guest (0)
31927	2002-01-19 22:54:00	Thanks for a good tip. I don't know if it will work after MS drops support for an OS but there is a program called Update.com(the name may have changed as they have merged with someone else) which will stroll through your hard disk looking at what software you have and letting you know if there are any upgrdes or patches. Last time I used it it worked pretty well.	Guest (0)
31928	2002-01-19 22:56:00	That is a great tip, e_, congratulations. The big problem is deciding from the installation history just which patches and updates have been superceded by later ones. My list goes back to 1999, (through 3 motherboards, 4 hard drives, same 98SE installation! Dont believe in re-installing if it's not neccessary). I would like to know exactly what MS means by support as there are still quite old files tucked away on the MS site, and you can still get upates for Win95, like Winsock2 and DUN, even though support is supposed to have ended Dec 31 2001. I see that Win98 support is scheduled to end in 2003, so there is no need to panic just yet. Thanks.	Guest (0)
31929	2002-01-20 00:56:00	Thanks e_ Those are really good, detailed instructions. I appreciate you spending the time to do it right. Cheers John.	Guest (0)
31930	2002-01-20 01:12:00	http://catchup.cnet.com/ Mike, this might be the link you are referring to	Guest (0)
31931	2002-01-20 01:16:00	Very good tip here. Have tried it already but got as far as the final download box with the message 'Preparing to Download' and it just sat there for the next 20 minutes. Must be one of those days. Saved the instrcutions and will try again tomorrow and see what happens. It will certainly be a big time saver if even only some of the updates can be applied from your own backed up files	Guest (0)
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