Can Windows Update patch files be manually downloaded and applied?

I'm a small home network operator getting ready for a major network
overhaul, including backup, nuke, format, re-install of all the family
workstations. All are licensed Win XP Pro's logging into a Windows 2003
server active directory domain and also served by Exchange 2003. After all
the reinstalls of the OS, I'd rather not have to run Windows Update on each
consecutive OS install. I don't want to spring for a CAL for SUS, this is a
one-shot deal.

Is there a way to get all the Service Packs and updates downloaded and put
on my server for this one time event? After this, I'll have all machines
using scheduled updates, but I just to get this done as easily and quickly
as possible and not have to slog through every single Update on each
machine.

Thanks in advance!

Bob

You can download updates from the Catalog and save to be installed later.
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...en/default.asp

How to Download Windows Updates and Drivers from the Windows Update Catalog
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=323166

Other links of interest:

Search for a download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/s...displaylang=en

How to install multiple Windows updates or hotfixes with only one reboot
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=296861



"Bob Perez" wrote:

> I'm a small home network operator getting ready for a major network
> overhaul, including backup, nuke, format, re-install of all the family
> workstations. All are licensed Win XP Pro's logging into a Windows 2003
> server active directory domain and also served by Exchange 2003. After all
> the reinstalls of the OS, I'd rather not have to run Windows Update on each
> consecutive OS install. I don't want to spring for a CAL for SUS, this is a
> one-shot deal.
>
> Is there a way to get all the Service Packs and updates downloaded and put
> on my server for this one time event? After this, I'll have all machines
> using scheduled updates, but I just to get this done as easily and quickly
> as possible and not have to slog through every single Update on each
> machine.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Bob
>
>
>