How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Windows XP updates are distributed in service packs. Service packs help keep Windows XP current, and extend and update the functionality of your computer.

To install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), either Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) must already be installed.

If you have to install Windows XP Service Pack 1a or Windows XP Service Pack 2, go to the "Windows XP Service Pack 1a" section or the "Windows XP Service Pack 2" section in this article.

Important These service packs apply only to 32-bit versions of Windows XP. For more information about service packs for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
To determine which service pack is currently installed on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Copy and paste, or type the following command and then click OK:
   winver
   A dialog box displays the version of Windows and the service pack that is currently installed on your computer.
3. Note If you still are not sure which service pack that you have, you might want to ask someone for help, or you might want to contact Support http://support.microsoft.com (http://support.microsoft.com/) .

How to obtain Windows Service Pack 3

There are three ways to obtain the latest service pack:

• You can turn on Automatic Updates so that your computer downloads the latest service pack automatically.
• You can download the service pack manually online.
• You can order the service pack on a CD.

Turn on Automatic Updates

The best way to obtain Windows XP SP3 is to turn on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP. To turn on the Automatic Updates feature, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Copy and paste, or type the following command, and then press ENTER:
   sysdm.cpl
3. Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click to select one of the three options. We recommend that you select the Automatic (recommended) option, and then choose the time that you want under Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them.
4. Click OK.

After you turn on Automatic Updates, your computer can start to download updates automatically.

Download the service pack manually

You can use Windows Update or the Microsoft Download Center to obtain Windows XP SP3 online.

Check for updates on Windows Update

To check for updates on Windows Update, follow these steps:

1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)
2. Click Express (Recommended).
3. If your computer is up to date, Windows XP SP3 will be one of the updates that is automatically selected. Click Install. If your computer is not up to date, Windows Update will offer some other updates that you have to install first. Install those, and then repeat steps 1 and 2 to obtain Windows XP SP3.
4. For Windows XP SP3, review and accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.

Windows XP SP3 will be downloaded to your computer, and the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Setup Wizard will help you install it.

Download the latest Windows XP service pack from the Microsoft Download Center

If you have problems obtaining the service pack from Windows Update, you can download the stand-alone update package from the Download Center. This page will say that this installation package is intended for IT professionals and developers. However, you can safely download this file. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download the Windows XP Service Pack 3 package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4)

For more information about how to download Microsoft support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

Order Windows XP Service Pack 3 on a CD

To order Windows XP SP3 on a CD, visit one of the following Microsoft Web sites, as appropriate for your region:

AsiaEurope and AfricaNorth AmericaSouth America

Additional resources

For more information about what is fixed in Windows XP Service Pack 3, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about issues with Windows XP Service Pack 3, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For information that can help you successfully download and install Windows XP SP3 on a single computer, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Windows XP Service Pack 2

Release Date: August 25, 2004

To obtain Windows XP SP2, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Additional resources

For more information about what is fixed in Windows XP Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about issues with Windows XP Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Windows XP Service Pack 1a

Release Date: February 3, 2003

To obtain Windows XP SP1a, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Additional resources

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about what is fixed in SP1a, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Windows XP SP1a includes Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (SP1). Therefore, the problems corrected by Internet Explorer 6 SP1 are also fixed by Windows XP SP1a. For more information about these problems, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about how to obtain the latest service pack for Internet Explorer 6, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about issues with Windows XP Service Pack 1a, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Windows XP Service Pack 1

Release Date: September 9, 2002

Service Pack 1 (SP1) is no longer available for download.