Copy "%SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download" to another computer

Question

Is it possible (and safe) to copy the SoftwareDistribution\Download folder from one Windows XP machine, A, to another, B, and then let update.microsoft.com do its thing on B minus the download time for all packages that have been downloaded on A?

Are other files and/or directories required to make B accept/check the copied files?

Solution

This may be of interest to you:

You can use c't Offline Update to easily download patches and updates for your Windows and Office without going through the whole procedure on Microsoft's Windows Update website.

c't Offline Update creates patch packages on USB sticks, DVD, or CD to update and patch as many machines as you want.

Supported operating systems and software: Windows Server 2008, Server 2003, Vista, XP, 2000 (incl. their respective 64-bit versions) and Microsoft Office 2007, XP, 2003, and 2000.

c't Offline Update is freeware and portable (does not require installation).

Comments

[info]

It would have been nice if it supported Windows 7.

[rsheart]

maybe with the next update, this version 6 was released in June.

[VolkerK]

Doesn't include the optional software updates but that's a minor (tiny) issue. Works very well.

[rsheart]

i'd say there are legal issues involved, regarding certain optional updates that require WGA check.