Ive got to format and reinstall xp

Is there any way I can save all the auto updates installed by xp from microsoft without having to download again.
As last time It took nearly 6 hours to Install these updates

ie security/ driver/and program updates for frontpage /office.

If so can I then just copy and paste Into the win 32 file or Is this not possible

koicarp:

I did a search of Microsoft's Knowledge Base and couldn't find anything that specifically addressed your question.

I did a search for one of the updates I found in my Add/Remove and found it here:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C295EE}.

It may be possible to backup all these files, but I'm not absolutely certain of this. I think it may be like uninstalling, then reinstalling, your Anti-Virus software. You'd have to go get the updates, again, after a reinstall.

Of course, not being a Tech god, like TomGL2, I could be "guessing" you down the garden path on this one.

Or look at THIS thread.

ivnj

Thanks, ivnj!

I'd completely forgotten about that thread. Good job!

Hi,

You shouldn't have to reformat your hard drive if your reinstalling Windows XP. I take it that you have some sort of failure with the operating system. You can use the system restore function will in effect undo harmful changes made to your computer. System restore is new to Windows XP and automatically sets a restore point once or twice a day. When you get a major problem with the operating system you then simply perform a system restore so that the computer is restored to an earlier time. This is handy because your files, settings, and down loads from the windows update web site for example are maintained after the system resternation has taken place.

koicarp,
There should be an answer to your question, and probably alot of other questions about XP here.

I have found alot of very useful info on this site, in fact, I believe it was here on AP that I first heard of it.

chris