If you ever had to reinstall Windows, you usually have to wait for several hours to download and install all the updates and service packs from Microsoft’s website. (That is, if you do so). If you hunt around Microsoft’s website, you can find an ISO image of each service pack that contains previously released updates prior to its release. This allows you to update your computer faster without the wait of downloading from the internet.

An ISO (.ISO) file is an image, or copy, of a CD or DVD that is saved on your computer in a single file. You can later burn a copy of that image from your computer onto a CD or DVD using disc recording software.

Most recording software (Nero, Easy Media Creator, NTI, etc.) will allow you to burn a disc from an ISO image. If you don’t have any recording software, or your recording software doesn’t support ISO files, you can download a free program called ISO Recorder that integrates itself in Explorer’s content menus.

To make your search for these services packs easier, I have provided links to Microsoft’s website. Remember, you’re only downloading the service pack, not the actual operating system.

Windows XP
Service Pack 2 – 64 Bit
Service Pack 3 – 32 Bit

Windows Server 2003
Service Pack 1 – 32 Bit
Service Pack 2 – 32 Bit
Service Pack 2 – 64 Bit

Windows Vista
Service Pack 1 – 32 Bit/64 Bit
Service Pack 2 – 32 Bit/64 Bit

Windows Server 2008
Service Pack 2 – 32 Bit/64 Bit

Windows 7
Service Pack 1 – 32 Bit/64 Bit

Windows Server 2008 (R2)
Service Pack 1 – 32 Bit/64 Bit