How to Extract Windows Hotfix

Microsoft Windows hotfixes are programming patches applied to an existing operating system to fix a bug or a problem automatically. Usually the hotfixes are used to cover system security vulnerabilities. These packages are distributed as a Microsoft Update Standalone Package (MSU) format. You need to extract a hotfix before it fixes your system. Starting with Windows Vista, these types of files can be extracted using the expand.exe feature.

Instructions

1. Double-click the saved "Hotfix.exe" file and click "Continue" in the "Microsoft Self-Extractor" pop-up window.

2. Type "C:\MSUFolder" in the "Select the folder where you want to unzip the files to" box when prompted and click "OK."

3. Type "c:" in the generated command prompt window and press "Enter." Type "cd c:\MSUFolder" and press "Enter." Type "expand -F:* Saved_MSU_File_Name.msu c:\MSUFolder" and press "Enter." Type "expand -F:* Saved_MSU_File_Name.cab c:\MSUFolder" and press "Enter."

4. Restart your computer.

References

• Microsoft Support: You cannot extract the contents of a Microsoft Update Standalone Package for Windows Vista
• Microsoft Support: How to manually apply hotfixes to the preinstall environment on the Windows installation disc