Offline update of Windows?

What options, if any, exist for offline update of Microsoft Windows?

If a solution exists please list your experience using it.

Background:

If for any reason a computer does not have a connection to the Internet or the connection is too slow to download several hundreds of megabytes every so often some kind of offline Windows Update is required.

In a multi-computer environment a lot of bandwidth (and thus in some cases money) and/or time could also be saved if it is possible to update in an offline manner.

Use WSUS Offline Update.

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I have been using WSUS for the last two years at home and in many enterprise environments. This is the simplest and easiest way to do this.

For most of the base operating systems and products the installers for Service Packs are provided as separate downloads or as slipstreamed installation discs.

Another alternative is using IPCop with the Advanced Proxy and Update Accelerator add-ons -- no longer available.

Autopatcher can download updates once and apply them to multiple computers offline

In short, AutoPatcher combines the advantage of both Windows Update (presentation and description of updates and automated installation), and the special administrative updates (portability and installation without the need of an Internet connection).

Microsoft offers their Service Packs in standalone "administrator installer" formats (along with, as Lance mentioned, some of their hotfixes and patches). Download once, deploy via your preferred medium.