SP2: previous security updates necessary?

[Laurent]

Hi,

I just reinstalled Windows XP Pro, so it has no updates installed yet. I
thought that SP2 included all critical updates to Windows XP ever published,
so that I could just install SP2 and nothing else. But I've activated
Automatic Updates in Windows XP: first it installed BITS 2.0 and now it
wants me to download about 50 critical updates (SP2 is not in the list). I
get the same long list on windowsupdate.com. Wouldn't it be cleaner to just
install SP2? If I get an SP2 exe off a CD and install it, will it work (even
though I didn't install those 50 citical updates first)? Or should I install
all those critical updates, and then install SP2 when it offers to?

Thanks.

[Jon]

An installation of SP2 on a fresh install would be a good idea.

You can get the full download of SP2 here

http://tinyurl.com/5bobl

If you use the Recovery Console installed on your hard drive, best to
install that prior to SP2, since it's a little trickier to do so afterwards
(though not impossible)


One thing though, is it doesn't actually include all updates...it's missing
some related to Microsoft's Java, for example

[eg The update 816093 is not included with SP2

ie the Security Update for Microsoft Virtual Machine
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-011.mspx ]

So if you prefer how Microsofts Java VM handles applets on websites, then
best to keep hold of that one if you have it stored somewhere (or get hold
of Build 3810 of the Java Virtual Machine from somewhere, eg via Google)


Jon


"Laurent" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> I just reinstalled Windows XP Pro, so it has no updates installed yet. I
> thought that SP2 included all critical updates to Windows XP ever
> published, so that I could just install SP2 and nothing else. But I've
> activated Automatic Updates in Windows XP: first it installed BITS 2.0 and
> now it wants me to download about 50 critical updates (SP2 is not in the
> list). I get the same long list on windowsupdate.com. Wouldn't it be
> cleaner to just install SP2? If I get an SP2 exe off a CD and install it,
> will it work (even though I didn't install those 50 citical updates
> first)? Or should I install all those critical updates, and then install
> SP2 when it offers to?
>
> Thanks.
>
>

[Airton Bertini]

Hello Laurent,

The Windows XP Service Pack 2 have all critical updates and patches.
You do not want to install any before update before install SP2.
The SP2 include all what you need to get most protected, since your
avaliability.
After install SP2 go to Windows Update V5. to get newest critical updates.

Go to Microsoft page to get official SP2:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049c9dbe-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

Best Regard´s
Airton Bertini - Technicall Support Microsoft - Brazil.


"Laurent" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I just reinstalled Windows XP Pro, so it has no updates installed yet. I
> thought that SP2 included all critical updates to Windows XP ever published,
> so that I could just install SP2 and nothing else. But I've activated
> Automatic Updates in Windows XP: first it installed BITS 2.0 and now it
> wants me to download about 50 critical updates (SP2 is not in the list). I
> get the same long list on windowsupdate.com. Wouldn't it be cleaner to just
> install SP2? If I get an SP2 exe off a CD and install it, will it work (even
> though I didn't install those 50 citical updates first)? Or should I install
> all those critical updates, and then install SP2 when it offers to?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>

[Alex Nichol]

Laurent wrote:

>I just reinstalled Windows XP Pro, so it has no updates installed yet. I
>thought that SP2 included all critical updates to Windows XP ever published,
>so that I could just install SP2 and nothing else. But I've activated
>Automatic Updates in Windows XP: first it installed BITS 2.0 and now it
>wants me to download about 50 critical updates (SP2 is not in the list).

Don't try to do it via auto-update, or it will insist on putting in
immediately updates to get your system half way safe. Either, if you
have Broadband, get the full 266 MB download or go look for a CD - try
Customer services at Staples, similar place, computer shops, or magazine
over disks


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)