Article ID: 937996 - Last Review: October 11, 2007 - Revision: 1.4

In Windows Server 2003 SP2, the "Remove" button for the service pack is not available in the "Add or Remove Programs" item in Control Panel

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SYMPTOMS

After you install Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2), the Remove button for the service pack is not available in the Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the previous service pack was installed by using the SETUP /n command. For example, this problem may occur if Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) was installed by using this command.

Note The /n switch installs the service pack without creating a backup folder. You must have this backup folder to remove the service pack by using the Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel. We recommend that you always create a backup folder when you install a service pack.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, remove the service pack by running the Spuninst.exe utility. The Spuninst.exe utility is located in the following folder:
%SystemRoot%\$NTServicepackUninstall$

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
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