3 alternative ways to get Windows updates

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Lists

3 alternative ways to get Windows updates

by Lee Mathews Nov 25th 2008

Not everyone wants to let Windows handle downloading and installing updates. If you prefer the DIY approach, here are three ways to keep your system up to date without Windows helping out.

1. Windiz Updates provides an experience that's as similar to the original as its name. The twist is that this service won't work in Internet Explorer - you'll need Firefox and the Windiz addon. It doesn't collect any personal information, and IE doesn't even need to be installed on your system to use it.

It's an intelligent system and won't download old updates that have been superceded by newer ones. Windiz also won't install updates that have potential security issues. New updates with It can even provide updates for Microsoft's golden oldies like 95 and NT.

2. Windows Updates Downloader is a bit more cumbersome, but it does the job. After installing the app, you'll need to download the appropriate .ulz files from this page to access the updates. The updater can handle Windows 2000 Pro, Server 2003, XP, Vista (both 32 and 64 bit), and even Office 2003 and Exchange Server.

Select the updates you want and the downloader goes to work, dropping the individual KB files into your specified folder - the path and automatic naming options can be customized. Once they're downloaded, double click each update you want to install.

One important note: although the items are marked with checkboxes, you have to double-click them to check and uncheck an update. Don't click once and mutter "WTF" like I did at first.

3. CT Update uses WGET to handle everything from 2000 to server 2008 - regardless of the language of your Windows install - and then creates a CD or DVD images of your updates. Pop the disc in your target machine (or mount the iso) and run updateinstaller.exe and let it run. It creates a temporary account with the necessary rights to install the updates and reboot without user interaction, then removes the account when it's finished.

Have another method I've missed? Share it with your fellow readers in the comments!

Tags: automatic-updates, hacks, patches, updates, windows-updates, windows-vista, windows-xp, workarounds

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mark said 9:44AM on 11-25-2008

I tried the Windows Update Downloader, but it's pretty useless since there is no up to date file for SP3. I'll stick with the tried and true RyanVM update packs. You can use nLite to slipstream the latest updates right into your install disc. http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/

Rich said 9:46AM on 11-25-2008

On the WinDiz site it says that the developers have moved on and no future enhancements will be offered.

timbo said 11:16AM on 11-25-2008

plus it doesnt seem to work with non english windows versions. that would have saved me 5 minutes of my life. sheesh...

Bob Clay said 11:32AM on 11-25-2008

WinDiz is useless. It is for older versions of Firefox and is not maintained.

nanomatrix said 11:37AM on 11-25-2008

Windiz is defunct. It was great in the past, but no longer useful.

blogward said 1:16PM on 11-25-2008

@nanomatrix and bob: Works for me, on Opera:), specially as IE8 crashes at M$ update site.

TurboFool said 1:38PM on 11-25-2008

I sure miss AutoPatcher...

chuck.mullen said 5:15AM on 11-27-2008

http://www.autopatcher.com/

STILL WORKS... I was using it a few days AGO, on VISTA, what are you talking about???

TurboFool said 1:56PM on 11-27-2008

Autopatcher is a mere shadow of its former self. It's not a tenth as useful or convenient as it was.

Michael said 5:57PM on 11-25-2008

I don't get this .. why wouldn't you just use Microsoft Update?

If WGA is the problem why not just use muBlinder to work around it?

Drew Green said 7:56PM on 11-25-2008

Windows Update or WSUS in a corporate environment FTW

Rauf said 7:36PM on 11-26-2008

I have tried all three methods but beleive me and test yourself ........
AutoPatcher is the most suitable option for Downloading and Installing Updates.

It supports all windows OS versions in almost all languages.
It also supports Microsoft Office Updates (2003 and 2007)

I am using it for last four years and it has saved a hell of my time. I recommend it.

Force Flow said 9:35AM on 12-01-2008

The only major difference between the old and the new autopatcher is that you download the updates from Microsoft instead of getting them from a large exe file. You can still burn that package to a DVD or host it on your network and it works fine.

tom said 12:37PM on 12-01-2008

I have an environment that **cannot** be hooked up to any external network. The only way to get data into the environment is to burn a DVD or something else I can throw away & shred after. It's a roach hotel - they go in, but don't come out.

I'll be looking at these solutions.

Jean-Sebastien Carle said 11:05PM on 12-07-2008

Hi Lee,

I just stumbled across your post. Thanks for the positive feedback. Somehow the checkbox issue is a bug that slipped through, it's been corrected thanks to your post. A new build (2.40 Build 1275) is available from http://www.windowsupdatesdownloader.com/ which corrects this issue.

The update lists are current with XP SP3 as a base and Vista SP1 as a base (both x86 and x64).

If you have any further feedback let me know, I'd be glad to improve the utility to best suit the community's needs.

Cheers,
Jean-Sebastien Carle
Author of the Windows Updates Downloader

Hal Rottenberg said 3:23PM on 12-09-2008

Jean, I don't see any uls file for SP3 up there. Is there something I'm missing? Also, is there a way one could automate the creation of these files so that I can update them myself to the latest patches available?

Jean-Sebastien Carle said 1:40AM on 12-12-2008

Hello Hal,

The website's been updated with more detailed information as to which Update List contains Service Pack 3 updates.

Documentation on the Update List Schema as well as the packaging of Update Lists can be found in the support forums at http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=147

Cheers,
Jean-Sebastien Carle
Author of the Windows Updates Downloader

aespe said 4:31AM on 12-17-2008

hi Jean,

can you make any pop up dialog but has a time out, so we can left WUD download all update over night? and not stop with a pop up dialog when an update is not found

thx

Vlad said 6:53PM on 2-01-2009

Hi,

It is possible to download windows updates from the couple of Microsoft Websites for off-line install on several computers. Here are instructions:

Download Windows Updates for offline install
http://software-development-toolbox.blogspot.com/2008/12/download-windows-updates-for-offline.html

Cheers,
Vlad

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