While most Windows 10 updates are delivered via the internet, there are situations where you may need to update your system without direct internet access. Whether you’re in a remote location, have limited connectivity, or simply prefer not to rely on the internet for updates, there are ways to update your Windows 10 PC offline.
In this article, we’ll explore the methods you can use to update Windows 10 without internet access.
Method 1: Use a Windows 10 Update Assistant (Offline)
Windows Update Assistant allows you to manually download and install updates for your system without needing an internet connection directly on the device. Here’s how:
Steps:
- Download Windows 10 Update Assistant (on another device):
- On a PC with internet access, go to the Windows 10 download page and download the Update Assistant tool.
- Transfer the Update Assistant to the Target PC:
- Once the tool is downloaded, transfer it to your offline PC using a USB drive or external storage device.
- Run the Update Assistant:
- On the offline PC, open the Update Assistant from the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions.
- The tool will check for updates and let you download them for installation.
- Install the Updates:
- After the updates are downloaded, the Update Assistant will prompt you to install them.
- You may need to restart your PC several times to complete the installation.
Method 2: Use the Media Creation Tool (Offline)
The Media Creation Tool is another official method from Microsoft that allows you to download Windows 10 updates offline. This tool can be used to create an installation media (USB drive or ISO) that includes the latest updates.
Steps:
- Download Media Creation Tool (on another device):
- On a PC with internet access, go to the Windows 10 download page and download the Media Creation Tool.
- Create Windows 10 Installation Media:
- Insert a USB drive (at least 8 GB of space) into the PC with internet access.
- Launch the Media Creation Tool and select Create installation media for another PC.
- Follow the prompts to download the latest Windows 10 version onto the USB drive.
- Transfer Media to the Offline PC:
- After the installation media is created, safely remove the USB drive and connect it to the offline PC.
- Install Windows 10 Updates:
- Open the Setup.exe file from the USB drive and follow the prompts to install Windows 10, including the latest updates.
- The installation process will upgrade or repair the system, ensuring that your PC is up to date.
Method 3: Download the Update Files Directly (MSU or CAB Files)
For specific updates (such as security updates or driver updates), you can manually download the update files in MSU or CAB format from the Microsoft Update Catalog. These files can be transferred to the offline PC and installed without the need for internet access.
Steps:
- Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog:
- On a device with internet access, visit the Microsoft Update Catalog.
- Search for the Specific Update:
- In the search bar, enter the update number (e.g., KB4561231) or a description of the update you need (e.g., “Windows 10 security update”).
- Download the Update File:
- From the search results, click the Download button next to the update that corresponds to your Windows version (32-bit, 64-bit, etc.).
- Save the update file (MSU or CAB) to your computer.
- Transfer the Update to the Offline PC:
- Use a USB drive or other external media to transfer the downloaded file to the offline PC.
- Install the Update:
- On the offline PC, double-click the MSU file to install the update.
- If you have a CAB file, you can use the Command Prompt to install it:
- Open Command Prompt as an Administrator and type the following:
dism /online /add-package /packagepath:C:\path\to\update.cab - Replace C:\path\to\update.cab with the actual path to the downloaded CAB file.
- Open Command Prompt as an Administrator and type the following:
Method 4: Use WSUS Offline Update Tool
The WSUS Offline Update Tool is a third-party utility that allows you to download all necessary updates for Windows 10 and transfer them to an offline PC. This tool is popular for managing updates on multiple machines without an internet connection.
Steps:
- Download WSUS Offline Update Tool (on another device):
- Go to the WSUS Offline Update website and download the latest version of the tool.
- Run the Tool:
- On the device with internet access, extract the contents of the downloaded ZIP file and run the UpdateGenerator.exe tool.
- Select the version of Windows 10 you want to download updates for and click Start. The tool will download all available updates for your selected version.
- Transfer Updates to the Offline PC:
- Once the updates are downloaded, transfer the Updates folder to your offline PC using a USB drive.
- Install the Updates:
- On the offline PC, run the UpdateInstaller.exe from the Updates folder to install all downloaded updates.
Method 5: Use a Windows 10 Update ISO (Offline Installation)
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of downloading individual updates, you can use a Windows 10 ISO to perform a clean installation or upgrade, ensuring that the system is up to date.
Steps:
- Download Windows 10 ISO (on another device):
- Go to the Windows 10 ISO download page on a device with internet access.
- Choose the version of Windows 10 you need, and download the ISO file.
- Create a Bootable USB Drive:
- Use the Media Creation Tool or a third-party tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 10 ISO.
- Install or Upgrade Using the ISO:
- Insert the bootable USB into the offline PC and restart it.
- Follow the prompts to either upgrade or perform a clean installation, ensuring that the latest updates are included in the installation process.
Conclusion
Updating Windows 10 without internet access is possible with a bit of preparation. Whether you use the Windows Update Assistant, create installation media with the Media Creation Tool, download updates manually, or utilize third-party tools like WSUS Offline, these methods allow you to keep your system up to date without needing a direct internet connection.
Make sure to download the necessary update files ahead of time, transfer them to the offline PC, and follow the instructions to install them manually. These offline update methods can be especially useful in environments with limited or no internet connectivity.