3 June, 2009

Windows XP updates are distributed in service packs. Service packs help keep Windows XP current, and extend and update the functionality of your computer.

How to obtain Windows Service Pack 3:

There are two ways to obtain the latest service pack:
You can turn on Automatic Updates so that your computer downloads the latest service pack automatically.
You can download the service pack manually online.

Turn on Automatic Updates

The best way to obtain Windows XP SP3 is to turn on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP. To turn on the Automatic Updates feature, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. Copy and paste, or type the following command, and then press ENTER:

   sysdm.cpl

3. Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click to select one of the three options. We 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.

4. Click OK.

After you turn on Automatic Updates, your computer can start to download updates automatically.

Download the service pack manually

You can use Windows Update or the Microsoft Download Center to obtain Windows XP SP3 online.

Check for updates on Windows Update

To check for updates on Windows Update, follow these steps:

1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site:

   http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)

2. Click Express (Recommended).

3. If your computer is up to date, Windows XP SP3 will be one of the updates that is automatically selected. Click Install. If your computer is not up to date, Windows Update will offer some other updates that you have to install first. Install those, and then repeat steps 1 and 2 to obtain Windows XP SP3.

4. For Windows XP SP3, review and accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.

Windows XP SP3 will be downloaded to your computer, and the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Setup Wizard will help you install it.

Download the latest Windows XP service pack from the Microsoft Download Center

If you have problems obtaining the service pack from Windows Update, you can download the stand-alone update package from the Download Center. This page will say that this installation package is intended for IT professionals and developers. However, you can safely download this file. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download the Windows XP Service Pack 3 package now.

For more information about how to download Microsoft support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.