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Can I get Microsoft Office XP Updates Offline?

I have a Windows XP Office installation cd prior to SP2 and would like to know if there is anywhere I can get the updates without having internet access. I need to install the XP office on a pc that will never have internet access nor ever be connected to a network. I was wondering if there is a website either MS provided or not that has such types of data. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.


Dave's Answer:

I'm not entirely sure if you're asking about getting updates for Windows XP so that you can apply SP2, whether you're asking for updates to Microsoft Office without having an Internet connection, or both.

Fortunately, Microsoft is eager to have you receive all of the patches you may desire without you having to pay a dime!

Microsoft Office XP has three outstanding service packs, SP1, SP2 and, logically enough, SP3. You can order all three of them on a comprehensive CDROM by requesting it at Microsoft's Office Update Archive.

You should not need internet access to install any of these updates, with the possible exception of the updates for Outlook; however since you are not planning to use the Internet on this machine, then you should be able to skip these updates. You may want to consider not installing the Outlook components at all, since they deal mostly with internet security issues.

For Windows XP updates, order a Windows Update XP SP2 CDROM by going to SP2 Update CD Order.

You can also download all of Windows XP Service Pack 2 from Microsoft and burn it on a CD, then use that on your other machines, if you're motivated and have a reasonably fast connection. The full download version of SP2, which is 266 MB, can be found on the Microsoft site.

And now, a word from Dr. Fix It: Remember that updates are very important to conduct on a regular basis because security and stability issues are constantly cropping up with older software. Also, updates help to ensure compatibility with some newer hardware, for example by providing device drivers (files which tell the computer how to access a device) for the latest USB jumpdrive. Updates help to patch critical security holes that an attacker can exploit to take over your computer, although this issue is less relevant if the computer is not going to be hooked onto the network. Regardless, keeping your system up-to-date is a good habit and good practice.

Finally, if you want some step-by-step directions for installing the SP2 update to your copy of Windows XP, check out Upgrade to Windows XP SP2 safely.

Thanks to James Foster, Tommy Martin, John Marshall, Jeff Lawley, Chris Buechler, Larry and Lev for their aid on this particular question.

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Reader Comments To Date: 2

Henry C. said, on June 25, 2005 1:55 PM:

how to I install microsoft office xp sp3 on a cdrom I got from microsoft.

Iggy said, on June 22, 2006 12:12 PM:

How Can I get Microsoft Updates Offline? I have an online SMS and WSUS server but I need to have computers already patched before adding them to the network? Any ideas?

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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