where does 'Windows Update' saves its downloads?

where does 'Windows Update' saves its downloads?

For example, I've used windows update service to selected a patch about 'computer fails when connected to a UPS'. It was downloaded and installed successfully. But I failed to find the downloaded file in my local machine. I need to save copies of such patches for later use, in case of a disk format or fresh windows install.

In that particular example, I have managed to get the name of the file: Q310437_x86.exe, which is a 161k file
so I seached my disk, only to find that the only file similarly named is called: Q310437_X86.EXE-036F9854.pf , a 12k file, and it was saved in folder: C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch

So what does that mean?
does windows delete downloaded update patches after installing them? are these .pf files just a history file telling windows what updates exist in a machine's system?

If so, can that behavior be prevented, so that download patches stay and dont get deleted automatically?

 

The update/install does not save the patch to your system. Go here to the download only site http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp?corporate=true to save the patch file to a folder designated by you for later install.

You can download any patch from here that has been previously
installed as well.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks so much, this is a treature link. It not only downloads patches, they also come with valuable details. How do they save a history to my downloads there? they didnt ask for a login or anything. Is it ip numbers that they use to identify you?

 

Hello Sallam,

"Is it ip numbers that they use to identify you? "

Don't think so, I'm on dialup, giving me a new IP address each time I log on the Net.

It is the activex, an MS invention wich gives total access to your system, thats what makes it dangerous if you have it set as enabled making your system subject to "drive by" downloads of such things lop or hotbar.

When in the MS site(s), notice, if you have activex ticked as a prompt, you have to allow it in order to get any further.

Regards - Charles