What is the difference between the Internet and Offline update? - Windows 10 LTSB offline update

Question

I have a basic question about Win10 offline update.

1. If the latest cumulative update is installed, is it correct to apply the updates at least 2-3 years ago at once?
2. If yes, what is the difference from the update via the Internet?
3. Is there a difference between the 1,2 method? In terms of stability.

I tested it as below to answer the above question.

Test environment: Win 10 LTSB, version 1670, build 14393.0

I tested the above OS in two ways after the first installation.
1.After the initial installation, I connected to the Internet and update it. (The update as below)
-Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB4049411) and Feature update * Cannot find it on Windows Update Catalog site.
-Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 (KB4033631) * Cannot find it on Windows Update Catalog site.

-2018-05 Cumulative update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based systems (KB4103720)
-Service stack update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for 2020-07x64-based systems (KB4565912)
-Other: Malware removal tool

1-1. Second update list after installing the above update
-Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for 2020-01 x64-based systems (KB4494175)
-Adobe Flash Player security update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for 2020-06 x64-based systems (KB4561600)
-Cumulative update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for 2020-07 x64-based systems (KB4565511)
-Other: Windows Defender Update

2.Download and install the latest SSU & LCU
-Service stack update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for 2020-07x64-based systems (KB4565912)
-Cumulative update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for 2020-07x64-based systems (KB4565511)
-Adobe Flash Player security update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for 2020-06 x64-based systems (KB4561600)

2-1. After completing the offline installation, connect to the Internet, and check for incomplete updates.
-Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for 2020-01 x64-based systems (KB4494175)
-Other: Windows Defender Update

Conclusion
In this situation, I think it is more efficient to apply the latest cumulative update at once rather than updating it via the Internet. However, the question is, when updating through the Internet, why the cumulative update is not applied immediately, and as shown in 1. above?

source link: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/3bb91fb1-b29a-48e3-aac6-96efd9215134/what-is-the-difference-between-the-internet-and-offline-update-windows-10-ltsb-offline-update?forum=win10itprosecurity#64e96e3d-b06a-4324-a6b9-81b69c9fabce

Answer 1

Hi,

When we perform online update package installation, Windows update agent will download update package through Windows Update catalog, however, some previous released update packages are not available to downloaded or removed from this website. So it would can't find it on Windows Update catalog, although I think the issue would not occur in latest released update package. Also, during online update package installation, Windows agent will also check if this update package exists on this system, if this package compatibility with existing system, and so one. Such judgement will cost time and much slower than offline installation.

We could compare and check CBS (C:\Windows\Logs\CBS) between online installation and offline installation. They should record more details about those differences.

This "Windows 10 Security" Forum will be migrating to a new home on Microsoft Q&A, please refer to this sticky post for more details.

Bests,

Answer 2

Your answer is helpful.

Thanks.