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Service Packs – what are they, why do we need them?
Microsoft Windows constantly sends out updates for their operating systems to plug security holes, fix bugs and compatibility issues for Windows components, or provide more functionality to their Windows components.
Even the best software programs sometime have errors or “bugs” that aren’t detected until the program is released to the consumer. Software designers can never anticipate and test for every possible combination of hardware and software present on the millions of machines in the world. Sometimes these different combinations will conflict with Microsoft Windows and cause issues.
Every once in awhile, Windows accumulates and distributes a large amount of changes in one lump update. Generally, these one time fixes are designed to significantly alter the existing operating system and must be release consecutively in order to function. They are also an accumulation of all the Windows updates pushed out up to a certain point. These types of Windows updates are called Service Packs.
There are several service packs for the various versions of Windows. They are:
For Windows XP
- Windows XP Service Pack 1a
- Windows XP Service Pack 2
- Windows XP Service Pack 3
For Windows Vista 32-bit
- Windows Vista Service Pack 1
- Windows Vista Service Pack 2
For Windows 7
It is always recommended that you run the latest Service Packs made available for your specific operating system. Some software programs require that Windows is updated to a certain service pack and will not operate correctly if the service pack is not installed. Since these updates are designed to improve security and Windows functionality, it is best to be up to date.
To check which version Service Pack you are running on your machine, do the following:
For Windows XP
- Click "Start" and then click "Run"
- Type "winver" in the "Run" window
- Hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard – it should display which version Service Pack you are running
For Windows Vista
- Click “Start" and type “winver” in the “start search” field.
- You should see “winver.exe” appear at the top of the “Start” field
- Click on it to execute the program – it should display which version Service Pack you are running
The best way to get Windows Service Packs is to turn on Automatic Updates so that your computer downloads the latest service pack automatically. To do so:
For Windows XP
- Click “Start” and then click "Run"
- Copy and paste, or type the following command "sysdm.cpl" – then press “Enter” on your keyboard
- Click the “Automatic Updates” tab, and then click to select one of the three options. I recommend that you select the “Automatic” (recommended) option, and then choose the time that you want under "Automatically download recommended updates for my computer" and install them.
- Click "OK"
For Windows Vista
- Click "Start" then click "All Programs" and then click "Windows Update"
- In the navigation pane, click “Change settings”
- Select the Windows automatic updating setting that you want. If you are not sure which setting to select, follow these guidelines:
1) Automatic (recommended) Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them. Click to select the day and the time for scheduled updates to occur. You can schedule Automatic Updates for any time of day, but your computer must be on at the scheduled time for updates to be installed
2) Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them: With this option selected, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to automatically download updates from the Windows Update Web site or from the Microsoft Update Web site. An icon appears in the notification area of your taskbar when the updates are being downloaded. When the download is complete, a message appears in the notification area. Click the Automatic Updates icon or the message. If you do not want to install a downloaded update, click Details, and then click to clear the check box next to that update to decline it. Click Install to install the selected updates.
3) Notify me but don't automatically download or install them: Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to search for downloads from the Windows Update Web site or from the Microsoft Update Web site. An Automatic Updates icon and message appear in the notification area of your taskbar when new updates are available to download or to install. Click the icon or the message to view the updates. If you do not want to download a selected update, click to clear the check box next to that update to decline it. Click Start Download to download the selected updates. The Automatic Updates icon remains in the notification area of your taskbar while the updates are being downloaded. You can point to the icon to view the download status. To pause or to resume the download, right-click the icon, and then click "Pause" or "Resume". When the download is complete, another message appears in the notification area to inform you that the updates are ready to install. Click the Automatic Updates icon or the message, and then click Install to install the updates.
4) Never check for updates (not recommended): Do not select this option.
- Click "OK"
If you'd rather install the updates yourself manually, then you can use the following links:
For Windows XP
Windows XP Service Pack 1a http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0136e5f8-1684-4202-b2d0-c6a43430f12a&displaylang=en
Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en
- Note – you must have either Windows XP Service Pack 1a or Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed before installing Windows Service Pack 3. You cannot upgrade for the original Windows XP install to Windows XP Service Pack 3
For Windows Vista 32-bit
Windows Vista Service Pack 1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B0C7136D-5EBB-413B-89C9-CB3D06D12674&displaylang=en
Windows Vista Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=891ab806-2431-4d00-afa3-99ff6f22448d&displaylang=en&displaylang=en
For Windows Vista 64-bit
Windows Service Pack 1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=874A414B-32B2-41CC-BD8B-D71EDA5EC07C&displaylang=en
Windows Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8ad69826-03d4-488c-8f26-074800c55bc3&displaylang=en&displaylang=en
Not being able to install Service Packs, or issues running Windows Updates can be indicative of a larger issue with the system. In this case, there may be a virus present, which is blocking the ability to perform updates, or there may be Operating System damage. In this case, Support.com's Personal Technology Experts are just a call or a click away.
We're here 24/7 as your remote Service Packs help. Just call one of our Personal Technology Experts and we’ll handle everything. The entire process is easy. After you call, one of our Tech Experts will start remotely scanning your computer right away. By using only your Internet connection, we can fix just about any problem you may have—big or small. We're here to help you get the most from your technology. Also, by calling Support.com, there’s no need to go out to a local support center or invite strangers to your home. You’re free to just sit back and relax after we start.
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