Questions about installing XP SP3 over SP2 now

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I’m currently running Windows XP Pro SP2. I’ve recently read that Microsoft is going to phase out support for SP2 in July and that after then, SP3 must be in place in order to receive security updates. I didn’t install SP3 when it came out because of the initial problems described with it, but I’ve kept up with all patches for SP2. But since it looks like I’ll now have to install SP3 after all, I have two questions that I hope someone can help with:

1) If I install SP3 now, afterward will I have to re-install all the patches that have come out since SP3 (most of which I’ve already installed on my SP2 system)?

2) Does SP3 contain WGA Notification (which I don’t have and don’t want — I’ve declined it as an update each time it’s been offered)? If not, can I still decline WGA Notification if it’s offered again after I install SP3?

Thanks for any help on this.

Vance Hamilton

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I’m currently running Windows XP Pro SP2. I’ve recently read that Microsoft is going to phase out support for SP2 in July and that after then, SP3 must be in place in order to receive security updates. I didn’t install SP3 when it came out because of the initial problems described with it, but I’ve kept up with all patches for SP2. But since it looks like I’ll now have to install SP3 after all, I have two questions that I hope someone can help with:

1) If I install SP3 now, afterward will I have to re-install all the patches that have come out since SP3 (most of which I’ve already installed on my SP2 system)?

2) Does SP3 contain WGA Notification (which I don’t have and don’t want — I’ve declined it as an update each time it’s been offered)? If not, can I still decline WGA Notification if it’s offered again after I install SP3?

Thanks for any help on this.

Vance Hamilton

Reply | Quote

I’m currently running Windows XP Pro SP2. I’ve recently read that Microsoft is going to phase out support for SP2 in July and that after then, SP3 must be in place in order to receive security updates. I didn’t install SP3 when it came out because of the initial problems described with it, but I’ve kept up with all patches for SP2. But since it looks like I’ll now have to install SP3 after all, I have two questions that I hope someone can help with:

1) If I install SP3 now, afterward will I have to re-install all the patches that have come out since SP3 (most of which I’ve already installed on my SP2 system)?

2) Does SP3 contain WGA Notification (which I don’t have and don’t want — I’ve declined it as an update each time it’s been offered)? If not, can I still decline WGA Notification if it’s offered again after I install SP3?

Thanks for any help on this.

Vance Hamilton

Reply | Quote

I’m currently running Windows XP Pro SP2. I’ve recently read that Microsoft is going to phase out support for SP2 in July and that after then, SP3 must be in place in order to receive security updates. I didn’t install SP3 when it came out because of the initial problems described with it, but I’ve kept up with all patches for SP2. But since it looks like I’ll now have to install SP3 after all, I have two questions that I hope someone can help with:

1) If I install SP3 now, afterward will I have to re-install all the patches that have come out since SP3 (most of which I’ve already installed on my SP2 system)?

2) Does SP3 contain WGA Notification (which I don’t have and don’t want — I’ve declined it as an update each time it’s been offered)? If not, can I still decline WGA Notification if it’s offered again after I install SP3?

Thanks for any help on this.

Vance Hamilton

Reply | Quote

I’m currently running Windows XP Pro SP2. I’ve recently read that Microsoft is going to phase out support for SP2 in July and that after then, SP3 must be in place in order to receive security updates. I didn’t install SP3 when it came out because of the initial problems described with it, but I’ve kept up with all patches for SP2. But since it looks like I’ll now have to install SP3 after all, I have two questions that I hope someone can help with:

1) If I install SP3 now, afterward will I have to re-install all the patches that have come out since SP3 (most of which I’ve already installed on my SP2 system)?

2) Does SP3 contain WGA Notification (which I don’t have and don’t want — I’ve declined it as an update each time it’s been offered)? If not, can I still decline WGA Notification if it’s offered again after I install SP3?

Thanks for any help on this.

Vance Hamilton

Reply | Quote

I’m currently running Windows XP Pro SP2. I’ve recently read that Microsoft is going to phase out support for SP2 in July and that after then, SP3 must be in place in order to receive security updates. I didn’t install SP3 when it came out because of the initial problems described with it, but I’ve kept up with all patches for SP2. But since it looks like I’ll now have to install SP3 after all, I have two questions that I hope someone can help with:

1) If I install SP3 now, afterward will I have to re-install all the patches that have come out since SP3 (most of which I’ve already installed on my SP2 system)?

2) Does SP3 contain WGA Notification (which I don’t have and don’t want — I’ve declined it as an update each time it’s been offered)? If not, can I still decline WGA Notification if it’s offered again after I install SP3?

Thanks for any help on this.

Vance Hamilton

Reply | Quote

I’m currently running Windows XP Pro SP2. I’ve recently read that Microsoft is going to phase out support for SP2 in July and that after then, SP3 must be in place in order to receive security updates. I didn’t install SP3 when it came out because of the initial problems described with it, but I’ve kept up with all patches for SP2. But since it looks like I’ll now have to install SP3 after all, I have two questions that I hope someone can help with:

1) If I install SP3 now, afterward will I have to re-install all the patches that have come out since SP3 (most of which I’ve already installed on my SP2 system)?

2) Does SP3 contain WGA Notification (which I don’t have and don’t want — I’ve declined it as an update each time it’s been offered)? If not, can I still decline WGA Notification if it’s offered again after I install SP3?

Thanks for any help on this.

Vance Hamilton

Reply | Quote

I’m currently running Windows XP Pro SP2. I’ve recently read that Microsoft is going to phase out support for SP2 in July and that after then, SP3 must be in place in order to receive security updates. I didn’t install SP3 when it came out because of the initial problems described with it, but I’ve kept up with all patches for SP2. But since it looks like I’ll now have to install SP3 after all, I have two questions that I hope someone can help with:

1) If I install SP3 now, afterward will I have to re-install all the patches that have come out since SP3 (most of which I’ve already installed on my SP2 system)?

2) Does SP3 contain WGA Notification (which I don’t have and don’t want — I’ve declined it as an update each time it’s been offered)? If not, can I still decline WGA Notification if it’s offered again after I install SP3?

Thanks for any help on this.

Vance Hamilton

Reply | Quote

1) If I install SP3 now, afterward will I have to re-install all the patches that have come out since SP3 (most of which I’ve already installed on my SP2 system)?

2) Does SP3 contain WGA Notification (which I don’t have and don’t want — I’ve declined it as an update each time it’s been offered)? If not, can I still decline WGA Notification if it’s offered again after I install SP3?

1.) Maybe. It depends on how well the service pack installer does at detection. That should be no big deal. Just run Windows Update and be done with it. As long as bandwidth usage is not an issue, I recommend you download the full SP-3 package from Download details: Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers and burn it to a CD. Don’t be mislead by the title. It is just the full package. That way if you ever have to reinstall XP you’ll already have SP-3 and not have to download it again.

2.) I’m not sure if WGA is included in SP-3. WGA is no big deal anyway. You’ll find out the first time you run Windows Update after SP-3 is installed.

Joe

--Joe

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Have a peek at this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717?FR=1, it could save you some headaches, and you will need WGA in order to dowload certain files and updates.

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I did that on one machine the other week. I recommend the same as Joe; if you can, download the full SP.

On that particular PC there had been some 60+ updates installed for SP2, or SP2 and SP3 both, since the SP3 was released, i.e. not included in SP3 but installed as updates to SP2 (I have not checked the exact date and number).

At the end of the SP3 installation it installed several updates, previously installed, 51 I think, all now with the same installation date. It also left some older updates. The above 60+ something was without including cumulative IE updates etc.

So, in this case it worked very well, I had not more updates to install after the SP than before, in fact one less, the SP.

And the information at MS, which Mike linked to, is also a good, quick reading before installation.

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