downloading windows updates manually

i need to update a notebook with the latest xp updates but i'm wary of connecting it to the internet to do this for fear of viruses, worms, spyware etc as these may infect the notebook before the updates have even been downloaded. i have a desktop which is fully updated and connected to the internet. is it possible for me to download these updates as files and then install them on the notebook?

Edit: also is it possile to get virus definitions for norton in a similar way?

 

If you have a firewall, then you shouldn't need to worry about viruses, and the like.

 

would windows firewall be enough?

 

I would be wary of Windows' Firewall. I have had that on sometimes, and a virus has still got in. It's also better for there to be a a second firewall, and a good one at that, to make the computer more secure.

 

You can use Windows XP Autopatcher ( more info) to automatically install all the updates offline.

Here's the Windows XP 32-bit English autopatcher set.

Install the full April pack first and then the more recent updates later in order. Once you're at the installation stage where you choose which components to install, you may see some hotfixes that are highlighted blue. This means that they're already installed on your OS, so don't select them.

Full April Pack: http://autopatcher.jtymes.net/AutoPatcher_XP_Apr06_ENU_Full.exe
May Update: http://autopatcher.jtymes.net/AutoPatcher_XP_May06_ENU_Update.exe
June Update: http://autopatcher.jtymes.net/AutoPatcher_XP_Jun06_ENU_Update.exe
July Update: http://autopatcher.jtymes.net/AutoPatcher_XP_Jul06_ENU_Update.exe

If the autopatcher.jtymes.net mirror is too slow for you, look here for other mirrors and pick the correct patches.

 

First off, I think it's a little paranoid to not want to d/l directly via Windows Update. You're most likely to pick up viruses over the internet via email and suspect web sites. If you're using a router, most likely it has a firewall built in that will cover you - just make sure any other PCs on the LAN ( behind the firewall) are clean. Once you connect, go straight to Windows Update (don't stop at your favorite warez site) and you should be safe. At least as safe as going to a 3rd party website and running an unknown exe on your pc.

If you still want to do it without connecting, you can grab XP SP2 here. Burn it to CD and install it that way. Once you've done that, you can pick through the 500 or so security updates here, and then figure out which ones are post-SP2 and what order to install them, save them all to CD, and install them locally.

 

well first of all, windows firewall in my opinion is relatively poor. If you have norton, then it might have a decent firewall, depending on what version of Norton you have. Routers have a built in decent firewall so if you have firewall router, you need not worry.

In my opinion, downloading directly form Microsoft is pretty safe, there is almost no risk of your computer getting infected from a windows update.

Just don't look at porn...that's the first step to not getting a virus/spyware.

If you are still incredibly worried about viruses whilst online, just disconnect your etherent cable or diconnect from your wireless network and connect or plug in when needed...

 

Yes, if you've got a firewall (or router), you're safe from "unprovoked" attacks. That is, I can't create a connection to your PC and send you a virus if you've got a firewall.
However, you are still vulnerable to any connection you do make. For example, when you connect to a website and download things from there, well, you download things from them, whether or not these things are viruses.
But if all you connect to is Windows Update, I think you're safe.

 

That is so true. One of my pc at home doesn't even have any firewall or antivirus software and it doesn't have any worms or anything in it. It also depends on what kind of websites you go on. Most of the main and popular websites should be free of viruses.