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The registry entries are not updated when Microsoft re-releases a security update or a hotfix in Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003

Article ID:901168
Last Review:February 6, 2007
Revision:1.4

INTRODUCTION

When Microsoft re-releases a security update or a hotfix, the registry entries are not updated. This behavior is expected. This behavior does not affect the system on which the security update or the hotfix is installed.

MORE INFORMATION

Consider the following scenario. An earlier version of a security update or a hotfix is installed on the computer. You install a new version of the security update or the hotfix. The FileList key in the registry for the security update or the hotfix still displays the earlier file versions and checksums.

The security update installer or the hotfix installer treats the new installation like a reinstallation. Therefore, the security update installer or the hotfix installer does not update the registry entries.

Microsoft Windows Update and Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) do not use the registry entries to look for installed fixes. Any tools that use the registry entries assume that the installed file version is the version that is listed in the registry or a newer version. Therefore, you do not break any reporting tools or any detection tools when you install a new version of a security update or a hotfix.

APPLIES TO
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP3
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

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