Downloading Microsoft service packs

[Roberto]

I would like to download Microsoft service releases and service packs entirely instead of downloading their installation driver. I would like to then transfer them to other PCs on my local network so that I can install them onto several machines without having to download them from microsoft for each installation. Is there any way that I can download entire service packs or releases?

[EzyStvy]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.asp

[Roberto]

EsyStvy your url did not work for me.

I tried it to download the new IE5 SR1. It brings me back to the iesetup download. This does not not allow me to download the actual service release. Rather, it provides a setup program that automatically installs the service release. I am looking for a method to download the service release only one time so that I can easily install it on other PCs. Have I missed something?

[glc]

No - a "corporate" download for IE 5.5 is not available.

If you are administering a network, consider subscribing to the Microsoft Tech Net. It's about $300 a year, and they send you CD's or DVD's every month with exactly what you are looking for.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/subscription/about.asp

[Roberto]

Thanks glc. That answers my question. For my small network I'll just install them as usual -- during the download for each PC.

[Rick Hall]

I am not sure I completely understand your question. If you are talking about downloading IE5.5 SP1, then you can download this to your hard disk. To do this, simply run the IE5 setup utility, select custom install, then select advanced, and then you will see the option to download to your hard disk rather than just install it. This way you now have the complete package on your hard disk ready for another install if necessary.

[mosquito]

check out http://corporate.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
there you can download everything from windowsupdate to deploy on a company wide level. Very cool.

[Roberto]

Rick Hall

The procedure you described appears to be exactly what I was looking for. It did not work on the workstation for which I have already installed the service release. I'll give it a try on another workstation.

Are all the bold components those that are installed on a typical setup?

[Rick Hall]

All of the bold components are not required because they are detected as already installed. However, if you select the advanced options as I explained earlier, then everything will be downloaded to your hard disk (approx. 30 meg.) this will include those bold options. This is because you are telling the system you want to download the files rather than install them. It then defaults to a full download.

[Roberto]

Thanks Rick,

I'll try again.