HOW TO: Run Windows Update from a CD
When was the last time you installed a fresh copy of Windows XP SP2? The process is still straightforward and relatively quick…but then you think “I’ll just make sure the patches are up to date”, and then proceed to stare with horror at the 100+ security updates and critical fixes which Windows Update or WSUS demands you install.
One of the things to look forward to with XP Service Pack 3 is that the whole patching process is reset back to something more civilised, but until that time you’re still faced with the prospect of a massive blowout of installation time, chewed-up bandwidth and for too many reboots. HOW TO: Run Windows Update from a CD (sort of!) | APC Magazine