Ask the Microsoft Experts.

Q: I have several non-networked PCs that use dial-up Internet access. All use Windows XP . Is there a simple way that I can download a security update once so that I can copy it to a CD and update the rest of the PCs from the CD? None of the PCs are servers; they are all user PCs.

A: Yes, you can use the Catalog feature of Windows Update to download the patches. Alternatively, you can download patches from the Download Center.

To use the Catalog feature of Windows Update (WU)

1. Go to Windows Update. Under Other Options on the left side of the page, click the Personalize Windows Update link.

2. Under Set options for Windows Update, select the Display the link to the Windows Update Catalog under See Also check box.

3. On the top-right side of the page, click the Save Settings button. On the left side of the page you will now see “Windows Update Catalog” under See Also.

4. Click the Windows Update Catalog link.

5. To search for the updates you would like to download, follow the on-screen instructions.

6. To select the security updates you would like to download, click the Add button.

7. When you have finished, click the Go to Download Basket link.

8. Pick a location to download all the security updates, and then click the Download Now button.

9. Once the download is complete, you can copy the security updates on a CD and apply them to all non-networked machines.