Support for Windows XP

Important notice for users of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3): The support for this product ends April 8, 2014. To ensure that you will receive all important security updates for Windows you need to upgrade to a later version such as Windows 7.

For more information, see Support is ending for some versions of Windows.

Key Resources

Related support centers

Windows Vista	Access Denied Support Center
Windows 7	Internet Explorer
Windows Update	Other Windows Products
Windows Home Server

Internet Explorer and networking

Internet Explorer

Get Internet Explorer 8 today

Internet Explorer 8 features

Fix Internet Explorer add-on problems when IE hangs or freezes

How to Delete the Contents of the Temporary Internet Files Folder

How can I configure my Internet Explorer browser settings after I have removed malicious software from my computer?

Networking

Manage your network connections

Configure WPA wireless security for home networks

How to reset Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

How can I turn on or turn off the firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later versions?

Connect and disconnect a network drive in Windows XP

Copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile

You cannot open the User Accounts item in Control Panel on a Windows XP-based computer

Service packs and updates

Serive Packs

Support for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) has ended

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Windows Service Pack Center

Recommendations before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3

Troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 3

Windows XP Service Pack 3 installation fails with an error message, and the following error is logged in the service pack installation log: "8007F0F4 - STATUS_PREREQUISITE_FAILED"

Find help with "Access is denied" or “Service Pack installation did not complete” error messages

Visit Microsoft Update to keep your PC up to date

Windows Updates

Visit Microsoft Update to keep your PC up to date

How do I reset Windows Update components?

How to troubleshoot common Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server Update Services installation issues

You receive error 0x643, error code 0x80070643 or updates may be re-offered when you try to install .NET Framework updates when using Windows Update or Microsoft Updates

Error code "0x80070646," "646," or "1606" when you try to install Office updates

How to troubleshoot common Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server Update Services installation issues

Error message when you try to use the Windows Update or Microsoft Update Web sites to install updates: "0x800B0100"

Visit the Windows Update Support Center for more Windows Update solutions

Installing and setup

Installing

Install, reinstall, or uninstall Windows

Install or upgrade to Windows XP

Move files and settings to a new computer running Windows XP

Get Windows XP Setup boot disks

Get Windows XP up and running the way you want

Create a multiple-boot system in Windows XP

Use disk management to configure basic disks in Windows XP

Turn on Automatic Logon in Windows XP

How to enable Windows Installer logging

Maintenance tasks that improve performance

Activating

How to activate Windows XP

You are prompted to activate Windows XP every time that you start the computer

Visit the Product Activation Support Center for Activation solutions

Printing, Sound and Video

Hardware and Printing

Your CD or DVD drive cannot read or write media

Error messages occur when you run Easy CD Creator in Windows XP

How to Use Windows XP to Share a Printer with Others on Your Network

Resources for troubleshooting printer issues in Windows XP

Printer Problems in Windows

Music and Sound

Using Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP

Set Windows Media Player 11 as your default player

Burn your own customized CDs

Sync your digital media to a portable device

No Sound in Windows

Pictures and Video

Download pictures from your digital camera

Make a photo movie

Download video from your camera to your computer

Playing video files crashes or freezes Internet Explorer or Windows

Security

Get protected

Protect your computer for free with Microsoft Security Essentials

Install the Malicious Software Removal Tool

Remove viruses by using the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Scan for viruses on computers that are running Windows XP

Turn on and turn off System Restore in Windows XP

Tips for creating strong passwords and passphrases

Visit the Virus and Security Solution Center

Visit the Microsoft Security Center

Get Solutions

Speed up your computer after 811493 (MS03-013) security update

What to do if you forget your Windows password

Reset your Windows password

How can I turn on or turn off the firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later versions?

Support Options

Ask the Community

Have a question? Post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft Answers forums

IT-Professionals: Post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft TechNet Windows Vista forums

Developers: Post a question or browse for solutions in the MSDN Software Development for Windows Client forums

Self-Support Options

Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for technical solutions to common break-fix issues

Visit the Windows Client TechCenter on TechNet for advanced troubleshooting and guidance for IT Pros

Visit the Windows Client Developer Center on MSDN

Microsoft Premier Customers: Visit Microsoft Premier Online for troubleshooting resources or to submit an incident online

Microsoft Partners: Access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network

Paid Incident Support

To contact a Microsoft Support Professional via e-mail, on-line submission or phone click on the product and version below that is applicable to you. We’ll ask you a few questions in order to serve you efficiently.

Windows XP Home Edition

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

Windows XP Professional

You may have other support options available to you through your computer manufacturer

Contract Incident Support

IT-Professionals: Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your TechNet Subscription

Developers: Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your MSDN Subscription

Enterprise customers visit Microsoft Premier Online

Microsoft Partners visit the Microsoft Partner Network

Get Volume licensing with Microsoft Software Assurance

Customer Service

To find information about non-technical customer service issues visit the Contact Us page. The Contact Us page is where you can find information on these and other top customer service issues:

Product sales and licensing

Replacements, refunds and rebates