With the proper tools a windows system can be built to current patch levels with a straight install from cd. You just have to slipstream the patches into the install cd.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;814847

You can also install multiple patches without rebooting using qchain.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...296861&sd=tech

In many cases if you are maintaining many machines or have a need to build systems frequently, you can keep these utilities around in batch files that you keep updated. Then you can quickly and easily build NT systems.