Is there a way to download updates to a folder on my computer, and keep them? So if I have to re-install windows, I've already got all the updates on disk. I can just install them from my folder, without having to download them all again.
Just navigate to the following folder. C:\WINDOWS\softwaredistribution\Download It's where the Windows updates gets stored. Keep syncing the data between the above folder and your external drive. By doing so, you can avoid installing update each and every time you re-install Windows. But please make sure you update your computer on regular basis. Because, let's assume your last update was on 1 May and you reinstall Windows on May 15, those 15 days' updates might have been missed. I think you might have heard about Wanna Cry (which targets outdated Windows). So, keep your Operating System updated all the time.