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Quick way to get the post-SP1 pre-SP2 updates:

AutoPatcher

This is a good thing if you need to reinstall Windows soon before SP2 comes out.

Even after SP2 comes out and it shrinks in size, the features it allows you to change are great.

Ona different machine, go find the "redist" version of SP1 (SP1a actually) and burn the executable to CD.

Or better yet, go visit AutoPatcher.com and download the latest one of those, including all the newest post-SP1 patches.

Autopatcher.com also has a Lite version and an UltraLite version.

The UltraLite version contains only Critical and Recommended updates, along with IE and Outlook patches, and weighs in at 89MB.

1. unplug network cable
2. install windows
3. install windows sp1 from a cd i burned
4. install autopatcher xp
5. reboot and plug in network cable
6. goats

>> Autopatcher XP is for Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or 1a.
>> It won't help you if you don't have these installed yet
>> (i.e. new installation from original XP disk).

Download WinXP SP1 and Autopatcher.

In fact, they'll both fit on one CD ;-)

To solve the need-to-windows-update-and-install-antivirus-befor e-being-wormed problem, follow the aforementioned steps for the windows install (offline), then have your 'autopatcher' cd ready: autopatcher

This neat utlity lets you download an iso that has pretty up-to-date windows updates/patches -- and it has its own version of 'windows update' for XP/2000 as well. It works nicely to get your machine pretty up to date, before you go live on the internet.

No need to put together a huge convoluted update CD.

Some people have already done it. Autopatcher contains every update available on Windows Update since SP1 and then some (it's advisable to download SP1 onto the CD as well, though most recent WinXP CDs have SP1 pre-installed).

Basically, you put the CD in, click 'Update', and all the relevant patches are installed. No downloads. Only one reboot at the end. No virus risk. It's also excellent for my clients who are still on 56k :)

Or (and this won't help now, but I recommend it to those who may have this issue in the future) you burn SPx (whatever's latest) to a disc and also avail yourself of Autopatcher.

I can't believe nobody's posted this yet!

Autopatcher

AutoPatcher was started in October of 2003. It was started by Jason Kelley and was a simple batch program that would install many updates silently. Upon reaching version 2.65, Jason was contacted by Antonis Kaladis, who offered to help make a VB front-end for the program. And thus, the current incarnation of AutoPatcher was born.

Not only does it install all your Windows updates with just one reboot, it can also (optionally) install many other programs such as the Windows XP Powertoys, IESpell, etc. There's even some registry config options such as increasing the max connections per server (IE) to something greater than 2.

There is another way. If you go to Autopatcher.com, you can download all of Service Pack 1 and pre-Service Pack 2 updates with all critical and recommended updates. It is a hefty download (300MB +) but it is worth it. It comes with:
-Direct X 9.0b + Updates
-XP Powertoys
-SP1 Critical and Recommended Updates
-Pre SP2 Critical and Recommended Updates
- + More

I use it and it is updated every month. Get it while you can!

Autopatcher XP is more for fresh installs of Windows XP, not really for keeping machines up to date a secure with the most current patches. The most current version of Autopatcher is March, if the April/May release doesn't come out today or tomorrow. I used to use Bigfix on my 98 machines but it seemed to get behind too frequently

That said, however, Autopatcher has some good things going for it

• Customizable database (add your own default installation items.
• Nice interface.
• Dozens (too many at times) registry tweaks.
• Most components (i.e. direct X
• Some nice freeware, like media player classic.

http://www.autopatcher.com/WebAPXP.htm

Yes, there are MD5 checksums:

http://www.autopatcher.com/DownloadXP.htm
http://www.autopatcher.com/faqxp.htm (FAQ)
http://www.autopatcher.com/LiteXP.htm (Lite/UltraLite version)

But if you are really paranoid... Download it, unpack it (it's not ISO image but self-extracting 7zip archive), then download all critical + recommended patches from MS Update, and do binary comparision. I just installed it and ran Kaspersky AV, if it didn't find any trojan or exploit, then they must be some ueber-hackers :)

BTW, if you want just latest updates, download Ultra Lite (Critical + Recommended) or Lite version (Critical + Recommended + Optional components, eg. Java, WMP 9, DX9.0...) Full version includes lot of non-MS things, like bonus wallpapers, screensavers, Flash, Shockwave, registry tweaks, Google toolbar...

Yes, there are MD5 checksums:

http://www.autopatcher.com/DownloadXP.htm
http://www.autopatcher.com/faqxp.htm (FAQ)
http://www.autopatcher.com/LiteXP.htm (Lite/UltraLite version)

But if you are really paranoid... Download it, unpack it (it's not ISO image but self-extracting 7zip archive), then download all critical + recommended patches from MS Update, and do binary comparision. I just installed it and ran Kaspersky AV, if it didn't find any trojan or exploit, then they must be some ueber-hackers :)

BTW, if you want just latest updates, download Ultra Lite (Critical + Recommended) or Lite version (Critical + Recommended + Optional components, eg. Java, WMP 9, DX9.0...) Full version includes lot of non-MS things, like bonus wallpapers, screensavers, Flash, Shockwave, registry tweaks, Google toolbar...

Yes, there are MD5 checksums:

http://www.autopatcher.com/DownloadXP.htm
http://www.autopatcher.com/faqxp.htm (FAQ)
http://www.autopatcher.com/LiteXP.htm (Lite/UltraLite version)

But if you are really paranoid... Download it, unpack it (it's not ISO image but self-extracting 7zip archive), then download all critical + recommended patches from MS Update, and do binary comparision. I just installed it and ran Kaspersky AV, if it didn't find any trojan or exploit, then they must be some ueber-hackers :)

BTW, if you want just latest updates, download Ultra Lite (Critical + Recommended) or Lite version (Critical + Recommended + Optional components, eg. Java, WMP 9, DX9.0...) Full version includes lot of non-MS things, like bonus wallpapers, screensavers, Flash, Shockwave, registry tweaks, Google toolbar...

Someone already did that: http://www.autopatcher.com/. Highly recommended.

AutoPatcherXP is an excellent collection of patches and updates that I've included on CD (along with some other tools) for our user's home computers. It contains about 300Megs of updates/patches/apps and is relatively up to date with all of the critical patches.
After running AutoPatcher, only a few critical updates are needed off of windowsupdate's site. Unfortunately, MS04-011 is one of the critical patches NOT included with AutoPatcher. :(

I've said this before, as have others, but I must extend many props to the guys at Autopatcher. Just put the latest service pack and the Autopatcher installer and install them into a fresh install of XP (2000 version coming soon) and you are up secure (but we know that 'secure' is an extremely relative term). Just go to windowsupdate afterwards and see if there is anything that's been released since the latest autopatcher.

The great thing is, it has more than just the critical updates. It has all hotfixes and a bunch of extras too. It's great and you can show your appreciation for their hard work by paypal'ing a couple bucks their way. It makes life so much easier.

Tweaktown's guide to installing SP1 even on pirated windows XP.

Other updates can be found on Security bulletin search - everything except SP1 (and updates that require SP1) will install on pirated Windows, just will take you more care and effort to select those you need. Alternately, and probably much easier except for the big download, is Autopatcher which is a downloadable which will patch everything up for you - except SP1, which needs to be installed first.

Actually, Just install the latest service pack

This costs money for a CD from Microsoft. If the user tries to download the service pack instead of buying the CD, the user will probably get hit with Blaster or Sasser while trying to download the service pack itself, as the size of the service pack exceeds what a dial-up user can download within the time it takes for Blaster or Sasser to shut down the computer.

There are versions for 9x all the way up to XP.

Really? I read from here: "AutoPatcher 2000 is still being worked on."

Actually, Just install the latest service pack and then install Autopatcher. It has all the updates, hotfixes, and some cool extras all rolled into one scripted install so you can just start the install and walk away. I've used it and I can say that it makes life a million times easier.

There are versions for 9x all the way up to XP. You could fit everything onto one cd, and if you wanted you could even script that install. Thanks Autopatcher guys!

Autopatcher.com carries a cd people have put together than carries many and many of the patches MS has released.
I've seen good reviews, along with a decent community around it, but ymmv.

Microsoft's Patch CD is well out of date, and won't protect you against Sasser.

Better to use AutoPatcher

It is nearly impossible to keep modern operating systems updated via modem and there is no simple way to to copy all of the patches etc to CD. You have to run them all individually. I need Windows Update on a CD.

Check out Autopatcher XP from some guys over at Neowin. This is everything you need and more. They have monthly updates including all security patches and a lot of other fixes. They also include a lot of utilities and programs you may find useful. This thing is awesome for that fresh install of XP. It gets you updated to the very latest in just minutes.
Anyway, check it out it's pretty good stuff, you won't be disappointed.

Have a look at Autopatcher Includes LOTS of addtions/tweaks/hotfixes.
No need to download everything.. it's already there.
With an XP slipstreamed CD, and Autpatcher burnt to a CD... it saves installing a lot, including Codecs.

I use a thing I found over at Neowin.net that some of the guys have put together.

Autopatcher contains all of the current hotfixes and lets you change some other settings. It's great! Check it out if you have to reinstall Windows in the near future... One of the best parts for people who set up multiple puters is the ability to set all of your options as the Default settings before you burn the CD so that you don't have to check and uncheck all of your options on each computer.

So that's number 1 in my list of the first 10 things I install.

Then:

Firefox
Winamp
Miranda
UltraVNC
StrokeIt (because Mouse Gestures are too cool to be limited to Internet Browsing.)
Filezilla
OpenOffice.org
Media Player Classic
Slowview

There are places where you can get most of the critical updates.
Autopatcher is what I use. Notice how it installs ALL patches and utilities that it comes with in one go.
I dont care about windows update scans and "suggestions".. all I want are the critical patches.

There are a number of sources that have all the windows patches available as a complete download. Much better than fiddling around on windows update.
Like this. [autopatcher.com]
Autopatcher will install all updates in one go. Will also install java, tweakui and other usefull stuff. Also makes frequent reinstall easier.

There are a number of sources that have all the windows patches available as a complete download. Much better than fiddling around on windows update.
Like this.
Autopatcher will install all updates in one go. Will also install java, tweakui and other usefull stuff. Also makes frequent reinstall easier.

Check out Autopatcher.
It's a great utility to keep your Windows boxess up to date. It's a hefty download, but it's braindead simple to use. It's strength is bringing a freshly installed WindowsXP SP1 box up to date, but you can use it on an older install. Assuming of course you have SP1 installed already.
I heard about it on the forums at Neowin. They've done an awesome job of collecting post SP1 updates and critical fixes. They have also included some other useful utilities and programs.

I highly recommend this program to anyone that has to administer WindowsXP, especially if you have to look over more than one box.