updates ???

[shreyadr]

earlier whenever I updated any software/freeware; I required to download the complete new set up fle. however, most of the latest softwares allow end users just to download patches. (e.g. Zone alarm can be updated by downloading & extracting 13+ mb file each time. but spybots, firefox , thunderbird, their extensions etc. are updated within the application itself in a few minutes)
in such cases ...
1)where these patches gets stored in hard disk ?

2) can these updates will be stored in any default places to be utilised in the future in case of hard disk formatted or software crashes etc. and i require to reinstall the software ?

3) how to identify such patches ?

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any one knows the answer ?

[bit]

1)where these patches gets stored in hard disk ?

Depends on that particular s/w - may be in user temp or global temp or user profile or program files directory.

2) can these updates will be stored in any default places to be utilised in the future in case of hard disk formatted or software crashes etc. and i require to reinstall the software ?

Try to download the patch manually by browsing the application's website.

3) how to identify such patches ?

If you are trying to identify the file -
a) file could be a exe.
b) it could be .msp windows installer patch, in this case you can get this file from \Windows\Installer folder