When you try to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), you may receive one of the following error messages.

Error message 1

Error message 2

Note An error code may also be mentioned in the error message. This article does not try to list all the possible error codes or messages that you might receive. The resolutions in this article are recommended to resolve this issue regardless of the error codes or messages that you receive.

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The following conditions are possible causes of this issue:

•	The connection between your computer and Windows Update was interrupted when you tried to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).
•	An application on your computer interfered with the installation of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).
•	The Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) setup files are corrupted.
•	Multiple copies of the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) Setup program were running at the same time.

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This article contains step-by-step guidance that leads you through the troubleshooting methods to try to install Vista Service Pack 1.

The "General Troubleshooting" section in this article is designed for a beginner computer user. The "Advanced Troubleshooting" section is designed for an advanced computer user.

We hope that one of the methods in this article can solve your installation problem. If you cannot resolve your issue on your own by using the methods in this article, see the "Contact Support" section in this article.

Important note about free Windows Vista SP1 support

We know how important it is for you to be able to install and use Windows Vista SP1. This is why we offer free support for setup of the service pack. There are several options to receive support, and these options include e-mail and telephone support. For more information, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information about Windows Vista Service Pack 1 contents and prerequisites, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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This content is designed for a beginner computer user.

Please try the following resolutions in the order in which they are presented.

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Resolution 1: Restart your computer, and check Windows Update again to automatically install the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista

This method is rated: Easy.
Estimated Time: 10 minutes.

Sometimes an installation can fail because a previous operation was not completed. When you restart your computer, you close any pending computer functions, and you start the process again.

Windows Update can also detect when your installation of Windows Vista SP1 has failed because of a known issue. Microsoft has developed the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista to help resolve known setup issues. As soon as you restart your computer and try to use Windows Update, this tool is automatically offered to you if a known issue was detected.

Note The System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista resolves part of the following error codes: If your error code is not listed, you should still follow the other resolutions that are listed in this article. The steps in this article are intended to address all error codes that can occur when you install Windows Vista SP1.

Restart the computer, and then follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, and then click All Programs.
2.	Click Windows Update.
3.	In Windows Update, click Check for updates in the upper-left corner.
4.	Do one of the following: • If you are offered Service Pack 1, install the service pack. If the service pack cannot be installed, go to the next troubleshooting method. • If you are offered a tool to resolve your installation issue, run the tool. After you run the tool repeat steps 1 through 3. When you are prompted to install Service Pack 1, install the service pack. If the service pack cannot be installed, go to the next troubleshooting method.

Note If you follow steps 1 through 3, and you are not offered the service pack, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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Resolution 2: Download and install the Windows Vista SP1 Standalone package

Before you install the Windows Vista SP1 Standalone package, you have to determine whether your computer is running the 32-bit version or the 64-bit version of the Windows Vista operating system. If you know this information, you can go to the "Download Windows Vista Service Pack 1" section. If you are unsure about which version is running on your computer, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, type system in the Start Search box, and then click system in the Programs list.
2.	The operating system appears as follows: • For a 32-bit version operating system, 32-bit Operating System appears for the system type under System. • For a 64-bit version operating system, 64-bit Operating System appears for the system type under System.

Download Windows Vista Service Pack 1

This method is rated: Easy.
Estimated Time: 30 minutes.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released on March 18, 2008.

How to obtain the service pack

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center.

Note If your language version of Windows Vista is English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional), install the Five Language Standalone package. The Five Language Standalone package is smaller than the All Language Standalone package. Therefore, it is faster to download. If your language version of Windows Vista is not English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional), you might want to install the All Language Standalone package.

Windows Vista, 32-bit versions: Five Language Standalone package for English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional)

Download the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone (KB936330) package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B0C7136D-5EBB-413B-89C9-CB3D06D12674)

Windows Vista, 32-bit versions: All Language Standalone package for all supported Windows Vista languages

Download the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 All Language Standalone (KB936330) package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=F559842A-9C9B-4579-B64A-09146A0BA746)

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions: Five Language Standalone package for English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional)

Download the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB936330) package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=874A414B-32B2-41CC-BD8B-D71EDA5EC07C)

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions: All Language Standalone package for all supported Windows Vista languages

Download the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 All Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB936330) package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=86d267bd-dfcd-47cf-aa76-dc0626dcdf10)

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Resolution 3: Restart the computer, and close or disable any applications that may be running, and then install Vista Service Pack 1

This method is rated: Moderately Easy.
Estimated Time: 10 minutes.

Important These steps may increase your security risk. These steps may also make the computer or the network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend the process that this article describes to enable programs to operate as they are designed to or to implement specific program capabilities. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this process in your particular environment. If you decide to implement this process, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect the system. We recommend that you use this process only if you really require this process.

One of the most common causes of installation failure is when a third-party application holds a file open or locks a file that the service pack installation program needs. For example, a third-party antivirus or antispyware application may cause this problem. To minimize this chance, follow these steps before you try to install Windows Vista SP1:

1.	Close all applications, and then restart your computer.
2.	After your computer has restarted, disable any antivirus or any antispyware applications that may load during the startup process. You can usually disable the application from the notification area. To disable an application from the notification area, right-click the third-party program icon, and then click an option to close or to disable the application. The Close option or the Disable option may resemble the following options: • Disable • Close • Exit
3.	As soon as you close the antivirus or the antispyware application, try to install Windows Vista SP1 from the Windows Update site or from the Microsoft Update site. Or, try to install Windows Vista SP1 from the full download package. Note If you downloaded the full download package, try to install Windows Vista SP1 from the full download package.
4.	After you have completed the Windows Vista SP1 installation, enable the antivirus or the antispyware application that you disabled in step 2.

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Resolution 4: Check your hard disk for errors

This method is rated: Easy.
Estimated Time: Depending on the size of your hard disk, this may take several minutes.

For more information, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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Resolution 5: Run the System File Checker tool

This method is rated: Easy.
Estimated Time: 10 to 20 minutes.

The System File Checker tool scans system files and replaces incorrect versions of the system files by using the correct versions.

To run the System File Checker tool, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
2.	Right-click cmd in the Programs list, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
3.	At the command prompt, type the following, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannow When the scan is complete, test to see whether the issue that you are experiencing is resolved. Note If you encounter an error when you try to run the System File Checker, just ignore the error, and go to the next troubleshooting method. Some errors that you may encounter when you run the System File Checker may be resolved as soon as you successfully install Windows Vista SP1.
4.	Follow the prompts to complete the system scan. If Windows Resource Protection finds corrupted files and is unable to fix some of them, just go to the next troubleshooting method. Even if Windows Resource Protection finds corrupted files and is unable to fix some of them, you may still be able to successfully install Windows Vista SP1. When the scan is complete, test to see whether the issue that you are experiencing is resolved.

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Resolution 6: Run the Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool

This method is rated: Easy.
Estimated Time: 10 to 20 minutes.

The Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool is a program in Windows that tests your installed physical memory and reports any issues. To use this tool, follow these steps:

1.	Close all applications, and save any personal file or documents.
2.	Click Start, and then type memory in the Start Search box.
3.	At the top of the Results box, click Memory Diagnostics Tool.
4.	When the tool opens, click Restart Now and Check Problems. The computer restarts, and the diagnostic program starts.

If you encounter an error when you run the Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool, note the error, and then continue to the next troubleshooting method.

If you are encountering errors when you run the Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool, such errors may indicate a hardware issue. If the methods in this article do not resolve the issue that you are experiencing, you may want to contact your computer manufacturer to address the errors that you are encountering when you run the Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool.

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If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to contact Support for Vista Service Pack 1. For information about how to contact support, visit the following Microsoft Web site: The following advanced troubleshooting methods are recommended for advanced users:

•	Resolution 7: Uninstall third-party security programs
•	Resolution 8: Manually run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista

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Resolution 7: Uninstall third-party security programs

Important These steps may increase your security risk. These steps may also make the computer or the network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend the process that this article describes to enable programs to operate as they are designed to or to implement specific program capabilities. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this process in your particular environment. If you decide to implement this process, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect the system. We recommend that you use this process only if you really require this process.

Perhaps a third-party security application, such as an antivirus application, a firewall, or an antispyware application, may still be causing the installation failure even after you have tried to disable these applications. The Windows Vista SP1 installation requires several restarts of the computer, and the security application may be reloading after the first restart. Applications that provide registry repair features may also cause this issue.

You should consider uninstalling your third-party security application before you install Windows Vista SP1 only if you are positive that you can reinstall the application as soon as the Windows Vista SP1 installation is complete. To reinstall the third-party security application, you will either need the original installation media for the application, or you will need the original download. You may also need a product key to reinstall the third-party security application.

As soon as you are sure that you can reinstall the third-party security application, uninstall the application from the Programs and Features item in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start.
2.	Type programs in the Start Search box, and then click Programs and Features.
3.	Click the name of the security program that you want to uninstall, and then click Uninstall.
4.	After you uninstall the program, restart the computer.
5.	Try to install Windows Vista SP1 from the Windows Update site or from the Microsoft Update site. Or, try to install Windows Vista SP1 from the full download package. Notes • You have uninstalled your security software, and your computer is more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend that you do not surf the Web, use e-mail, or use Instant Messenger, until you have finished troubleshooting the issue, and you have reinstalled your security software. • If you have already downloaded the full download package to your computer, try to install Windows Vista SP1 from the full download package. This step may let you avoid using the Internet.
6.	After you have completed the Windows Vista SP1 installation, reinstall the security program that you uninstalled in step 3.

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Resolution 8: Manually run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista

Note Use this resolution only if you followed the steps in the "Resolution 1: Restart your computer, and check Windows Update again to automatically install the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista" section, and you were not offered a tool to resolve your installation issue.

The System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista tool runs automatically when you use Windows Update. The tool is only offered if Windows Update detects a known setup issue. However, you can manually run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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If no methods in this article solved your problem, visit the following Windows Vista Support Web page to find out about free telephone support for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 installation issues: If the resources that are listed here do not help you resolve the problem or if you experience symptoms that differ from those that are described in this article, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more information. To search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Next, type the text of the error message that you receive, or type a description of the problem in the search field.

Note If the problem is not resolved, unfortunately this content is unable to help you any further. So, you might want to ask someone for help, or you might want to visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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