Realise that this would require MS to take responsibility for putting out bad code. That's quite unlikely, IMO.
Hmm no, they dont have to take that approach, they currently provide updates as part of their license agreement to users, this would just be an enhancement of their existing facility offering a new level of security whereby users can gain access to critical updates without putting their machines at risk by connecting to the global Internet...
Actually, they don't, and, that's probably why they don't want others redistributing their patch software. If you run Windows update, you have to agree to half a dozen additional and supplemental EULAs before you can actually get your software patched. (I carefully had someone else agree on the one Windows system I have to cope with so that _I_ am still not a party to a Micr0$0ft EULA). It would be an enhancement for the users, but, for Micr0$0ft, it's all about the EULA, and, if it is distributed on CD, it's much harder for them to enforce the "you must agree to the supplemental EULA" provisions. Owen