Getting and Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2
Published: September 22, 2004
There continues to be many questions raised in the Windows XP newsgroups about how to get SP2 and how to install it. In this column, I'm pulling the answers together in one place. I've also presented several times and answered questions for Expert Zone in Live Meeting webcasts. Check the Microsoft Support WebCasts site to view one of the previous sessions.
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) is an important, free update for the Windows XP operating system. SP2 includes all security and critical updates that were previously released and provides better protection against viruses, worms, and other unwanted software. It includes an improved built-in firewall, Windows Firewall, which is turned on by default, and a wizard that makes setting up wireless networks a lot easier. For more information about the service pack, see Barb Bowman's column, Introduction to Windows XP Service Pack 2.
Prepare to Install SP2
Most people install SP2 without a hitch. But some people encounter issues. Here are some steps you can take to prepare for and prevent some of the issues that people have reported.
Before you install SP2, make sure your computer is completely free of viruses, worms, and spyware. The best place to start is the Microsoft Protect Your PC Web site. And for even more on spyware, see the excellent Expert Zone column from Jerry Honeycutt.
Failure to clean up spyware and adware on your computer before installing SP2 can cause issues and in some cases make your computer difficult to restart. You may not even know that spyware or adware programs are installed on your system. And some spyware or adware programs may not cause serious issues with SP2, but it's a good idea to run spyware and adware removal programs before installing SP2.
As another precaution, before you install SP2, you need to disable antivirus software you're using and close any open programs. This is always a good idea before installing new software, but it's especially important when you're installing a service pack. And for SP2, it's important that you disable any antivirus software especially. Some antivirus software can interfere with the SP2 installation. To disable the software, follow instructions from the antivirus software provider that you use. Check the software provider's Web site for exact steps.
Make a Backup
It's always a good idea to make a backup of your data, but many people never do. When you're preparing for the SP2 update, it's a good time to back up your data. At least back up your important personal files. Anything that you would not be able to easily replace, whether it's your doctoral thesis or pictures of your dog as a puppy—if it matters to you, make sure you have a backup of it just in case.
Review System Requirements for SP2
To find detailed information about your system, click Start, click Run, and type: msinfo32 . The first system requirement for SP2 is that you already have a version of Windows XP installed. Then you also need the following:
| • | CD-ROM drive or an Internet connection |
| • | At least a 233 MHz processor and at least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM |
| • | At least 1.8 gigabytes (GB) of available hard drive space |
Service Pack 2 applies to all 32-bit editions of Windows XP, including Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, and Windows XP Media Center Edition. It does not apply to the 64-bit Edition of Windows XP. The same media or update location is used to update all supported editions of Windows XP.
How to Install SP2
There are four basic methods of installation:
| • | Automatic Updates |
| • | Windows Update |
| • | Network Install |
| • | CD Install |
Which method you use will depend on your specific requirements and situation. I'll show some specific screen shots for the Windows Update version, but the actual installation steps will be essentially the same for all of them—first obtain the update, then run the Welcome to Windows Service Pack 2 Setup Wizard, and finally restart your computer for the installation to finish.
How to Use Automatic Updates
The simplest and best way to install Windows XP SP2 is to use Automatic Updates. By turning on Automatic Updates, your computer will automatically download just the necessary parts of SP2 to update your particular computer. And it will do the download in a way that doesn't interfere with your regular day-to-day computing.
To turn on Automatic Updates:
1. | Navigate to the Protect Your PC Web site. |
2. | Click Let us do it for you. |
3. | Click Start Here. |
4. | If you're prompted with a security bulletin, as shown in Figure 1, make sure it is signed by Microsoft, and then click OK. Then in the future, always read the security warnings that pop up when you're running Windows. Make sure that what you're being warned about is something you actually expected and that it's from someone you trust. It's easy to get careless about clicking open dialog boxes, but if you do, you're setting yourself up for a worm, virus, or spyware. |
5. | Finally, click Turn on Automatic Updates.  Figure 1 |
That's it. The rest will be handled automatically using the new and improved Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). After an update is downloaded to your computer, the installation starts automatically at the time you've specified or you'll see a message like the one in Figure 2.
Figure 2
If you get this message, just click it and follow the prompts to install the updates. After SP2 is installed, you'll see the message box shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3
How to Use Windows Update
Note: Now you can access the same updates and downloads available from Windows Update, plus updates for Office and other Microsoft applications, at Microsoft Update.
If you're more eager to get SP2 and want to control exactly when it gets downloaded to your computer, you can go directly to the Windows Update site and install SP2. However, you should probably not choose this option if you have a dial-up connection or a slow connection to the Internet, since the download is quite large and you won't get the advantages of BITS.
To install using Windows Update, you need to first download and install the new version of the Windows Update software.
1. | Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update. |
2. | Read and then click Install or Yes if you get a security warning message if it is from Microsoft Windows Publisher. |
3. | Install the updated Windows Update software. After the new Windows Update software is installed, return to the Windows Update site and you'll see the new Windows Update page, as shown in Figure 4.  Figure 4 |
4. | Click Express Install, and if you've already downloaded all the prerequisite software for SP2, you'll have a single choice, as shown in Figure 5.  Figure 5 |
5. | Click Install and then accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). When the download is complete, you'll be prompted to start the installation of SP2 by the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Setup Wizard, shown in Figure 6.  Figure 6 |
6. | Click Next, and when the installation completes, you'll be prompted to restart your computer. |
Don't delay the restart: you've made substantial changes to your system and it's best to restart and let those changes take effect.
How to Use the Network Install Version
The Network Install version of SP2 is intended primarily for system administrators and others who need to update multiple computers. However, if you have several computers and want to do only a single (but larger) download for all of them, you should use the Network Install version. You can download this version of SP2 from here. Once you've downloaded it, copy the file WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe (name will vary depending on language) to your local hard drive and run the installation by double-clicking the file. It's generally a bad idea to try to run the file directly off a network share, since interruption in the installation could cause issues with your system.
The Network Install version of SP2 is appropriate if you have multiple computers, or you are building or rebuilding a computer. However, the licensing agreement specifically prohibits you from copying this to a CD and distributing it to your friends. You can burn it to CD, but only for your own use.
How to Use the CD Installation
For many people, the official Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD from Microsoft will be the best way to install SP2. You can order this CD from Microsoft and then use it to upgrade all your computers, as well as give it to your friends and neighbors to update theirs. This is the only version that you can share with your friends and neighbors, by the way.
You'll definitely want to choose the CD installation option if you have to build or rebuild a computer, since it allows you to secure your computer before you connect it to the Internet, definitely a good idea.
Need Help with the SP2 Installation?
If you have questions about getting or installing Windows XP Service Pack 2, there are several choices for getting help. The first place, and one of the best, is the public newsgroups. The Setup and Deployment newsgroup is a good place to start. The Tablet PC newsgroup for Tablet PCs, and the Media Center Edition newsgroup for PCs running Media Center Edition are good resources.
Another excellent source of help is the Windows XP chat room on the Expert Zone. The Expert Zone chat room is always open for peer-to-peer support, plus there are regularly scheduled chats hosted by Microsoft experts or independent experts.
Finally, the Windows XP SP2 Support Center provides no-charge support for SP2 related issues by e-mail, chat, or telephone.
Emerging Issues
The online community and the resources on the Windows XP Expert Zone will help you keep track of common issues and solutions that are discovered as more people update more systems to Windows XP SP2. Check the online community before you update a computer to see if there are any known issues that affect your system or your friend's.
Contact Me
If you use Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, and you have a topic you'd like to see me cover in one of my columns, or just want to tell me about how the Tablet PC has changed computing for you, feel free to write me at Charlie@mvps.org. I really want to hear what you think about your Tablet PC and what interesting ways you've found that a Tablet PC makes your work better.
I can't answer individual e-mail messages or provide individual technical support by e-mail. I do regularly participate in the Microsoft Tablet PC Newsgroup and Windows Services for UNIX Newsgroup newsgroups and look forward to seeing you there.
