When you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), you receive the following error message:

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This issue may occur if you try to install Windows XP SP3 when Automatic Updates is running the Update.exe file.

The Update.exe file runs the Windows XP SP3 installation. The Update.exe file does not let multiple instances of itself to run at the same time on the same computer. Most of the security updates and service packs that are released by Microsoft run the Update.exe file.

Note To confirm that the update.exe file is running on the computer, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, and then click Run.
2.	Type the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER: taskmgr
3.	Click the Processes tab, and then determine whether the Update.exe file is included in the list of processes that are currently running on the computer.
4.	On the File menu, click Exit Task Manager.

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To resolve this issue, try the following methods in the order in which they are listed.

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Method 1

1.

Wait for any updates that are running to complete their installation process or to complete their removal process.

2.

Try to install Windows XP SP3. To do this, follow these steps: a. Visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) b. Click Express Install (Recommended). c. If the computer qualifies for the update, Windows XP SP3 will be one of the updates that are automatically selected. Click Install. d. Review and accept the Microsoft Software License Terms. e. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Windows XP SP3 installation process.

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Method 2

1.	Close any programs that are open.
2.	Click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and then click Restart. Note Sometimes, an installation may be unsuccessful because an earlier operation was not completed. When you restart the computer, you close any pending computer functions and start the process again.
3.	After the computer restarts, log on to the computer by using your account name and password.
4.	Try to install Windows XP SP3. To do this, follow these steps: a. Visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) b. Click Express Install (Recommended). c. If the computer qualifies for the update, Windows XP SP3 will be one of the updates that are automatically selected. Click Install. d. Review and accept the Microsoft Software License Terms. e. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Windows XP SP3 installation process.

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