# Fresh install of Windows XP can’t run updates (yes, Win XP) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 23, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058 "2013-10-23T21:24:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/1 "2013-10-23T21:24:13Z")
I resurrected a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop with a new HDD. I installed a retail copy of Windows XP, updated it with Dell drivers and SP 1 and 3 and Explorer 8 from a Flash drive. It has wireless capability and a functioning Ethernet port, but Windows Update refuses to run. I can’t figure out why, because the Fix it for Me link is just a .cab file that I can’t do anything with. Is there an easy fix or should I just keep this thing off the internet? It’s only got 1GB of RAM in it, so an OS upgrade isn’t likely. Also, I dragged this back from the dustheap to let the four-year-old Dudeling have some occasional fun (e.g. Reader the Hallucinogenic Rabbit, Thomas the Psychopathic Engine, etc.). If I turn off wireless networking and only use it to download a file here and there (i.e. no surfing), can I stop all this troubleshooting folderol and just leave it in its currently stable state? It’d only connect to the internet behind a router with a NAT. Small protection, but will the very occasional connection to safe sites mean that I don’t have to use precious resources on Windows Security Essentials or further troubleshooting? ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/2 "2013-10-23T21:30:10Z")
I don’t know if it has anything to do with it, but Microsoft ended mainstream support for XP on April 14, 2009 and the [end of life date](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/products/lifecycle) is April 8, 2014. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/3 "2013-10-23T21:36:15Z")
Here are some possibilities: [https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/77c26333-b9c7-49d6-9299-6386b94c0b1e/clean-install-of-win-xp-sp3-yet-i-cant-run-windows-update](https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/77c26333-b9c7-49d6-9299-6386b94c0b1e/clean-install-of-win-xp-sp3-yet-i-cant-run-windows-update) Note there won’t be any more updates for XP after April 8, 2014 anyway as they are ending support then. ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/4 "2013-10-23T21:37:37Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > I don’t know if it has anything to do with it, but Microsoft ended mainstream support for XP on April 14, 2009 and the [end of life date](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/products/lifecycle) is April 8, 2014. My Windows XP Media Edition still updates, and I reinstalled it last year, or two years ago at the most, and was able to get all the updates (a hellish lot of them), so I don’t think that’s the OP’s problem. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/5 "2013-10-23T21:45:47Z")
So let’s say that MS isn’t even hosting the updates anymore. On the off chance that that is indeed the issue (odd, though), do I care? I just want the Dudeling to lop the heads of illiterate bunnies and grow up fully ensconced in the British class system so he’ll be a Really Useful Engine. Also, before the days of online validation, how did we get around having to insert the CD every time we wanted to play something. If he/we have to insert a disk each time, that’s really cutting their life expectancy way down. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/6 "2013-10-23T21:50:09Z")
Windows 7 runs better on 1 GB of RAM than Windows XP does. (No, seriously. Try it.) ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/7 "2013-10-24T03:22:56Z")
I was forced to buy win7 because win xp couldnt update. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/8 "2013-10-24T03:40:36Z")
Well, you have to be at least 13 years old to register here, so I guess I’ll leave the install as-is and never connect it to the Internet. If I _do_, say because some game requires a connection or some other reason I can’t fathom, is there much risk of going online behind the router’s NAT? When does it become risky? Surfing beyond established commercial sites? Just sitting there? We’re absurdly wired in the house, so I can’t think of a reason we’d just surf with it, but who knows what I’ll think of tomorrow? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/9 "2013-10-24T04:02:09Z")
It’s not that bad of a security risk, IMHO. Just make sure it has a good anti-virus on it, and if you do choose to surf on it, don’t use IE. Use Firefox or Chrome with both an ad blocker and a script blocker. That is far more important than keeping XP itself up to date. You can manually download the service packs from Microsoft’s web site. I have an XP box here that runs games. It’s updated to SP3 and beyond that I have intentionally not installed any updates. I generally don’t surf the net on it (I have a linux box for that) but I do happen to be typing on it right now, so I do use it to connect to a few known sites (the SDMB plus a few sites to download mods for the games I have installed on it). ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/10 "2013-10-24T04:31:07Z")
[If you have XP SP1 or SP2 it](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/what-does-end-of-support-mean)will not update per notes below. You will have to force an update to SP3. > [@](#): > > What does it mean if my version of Windows is no longer supported? > > An unsupported version of Windows will no longer receive software updates from Windows Update. These include security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can steal your personal information. Windows Update also installs the latest software updates to improve the reliability of Windows—new drivers for your hardware and more. > > You should always install the latest service packs for Windows. You can download and install these through Windows Update. > • For information about using Windows Update in Windows XP, see Stay up to date automatically. > > • For information about using Windows Update in Windows Vista, see Install Windows updates. > > • For information about using Windows Update in Windows 7, see Install Windows updates. > > Support end dates > Here are the dates when support will end for PCs running Windows XP and Windows Vista without the latest service packs: > • Support for Windows XP is ending on April 8, 2014. > • Support for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) ended on July 12, 2011. To continue support, make sure you’ve installed Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2). > • Support for Windows Vista without any service packs ended on April 13, 2010. To continue support, make sure you’ve installed Windows Vista SP2. > • Support for Windows XP SP2 ended on July 13, 2010. To continue support, make sure you’ve installed Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). For more information, see Learn how to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). ---
**Author:** ![Fortyfold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7c8e57/32.png) [@Fortyfold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fortyfold)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/11 "2013-10-24T14:30:51Z")
I had this problem when I reinstalled my netbook recently. It seem this might due to the changes to Windows Update some months ago, IIRC I got it updated by setting it to automatic updates and leaving it to do its thing. Might need to manually update Windows Update first. ---
**Author:** ![DJ\_Motorbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90ced4/32.png) [@DJ\_Motorbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DJ_Motorbike)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/12 "2013-10-24T16:11:29Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > I was forced to buy win7 Linux ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/13 "2013-10-24T16:28:26Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [If you have XP SP1 or SP2 it](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/what-does-end-of-support-mean)will not update per notes below. You will have to force an update to SP3. That doesn’t fix it either. I recently did a fresh install of XP, installed SP3 from disk, and it still won’t update, either through automatic updates, or on the Windows update website. What’s worse, automatic updates runs an svchost process that consumes 99% of the CPU time, rendering the PC unusable unless automatic updates is turned off. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/14 "2013-10-24T16:41:32Z")
I got a little farther. It seems this is a recent hiccup—I was surprised to find that most of the threads on it were from the past few months. Conjecture is that MS is screwing around with their servers in advance of the EOL. Anyway, I found a few solutions by Googling “0x8024d001 windows update.” The solution that seems to have gotten me to the next stage was downloading/running WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe. Now at least it runs. But that’s all it’s doing. It’s hanging on “windows is checking for updates…” I have yet to try any of the fixes out there (e.g. re-registering some dlls), so can’t say if it’s out of the woods. I’d love to install Linux on it (I do most of my surfing on a Linux VM on my office machine), but most games for the Dudeling are PC only. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/15 "2013-10-24T16:55:20Z")
I have reinstalled WinXP recently and had some trouble updating at first. After some tinkering and maybe updating the Windows Update Agent the computer updates just fine. I use and maintaing a few computers which are running WinXP Pro SP3 and for now they all update just fine. I intend to keep using them well beyond April 2014. So what if XP is not updated by MS? I expect to get at least a couple years more out of them. ---
**Author:** ![Fortyfold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7c8e57/32.png) [@Fortyfold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fortyfold)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/16 "2013-10-24T17:57:40Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > …It’s hanging on “windows is checking for updates…” I have yet to try any of the fixes out there (e.g. re-registering some dlls), so can’t say if it’s out of the woods. Now try setting it to automatically update and set the system clock to one minute before whatever time it’s set to update, and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![lurcio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b77776/32.png) [@lurcio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurcio)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/17 "2013-10-24T21:24:53Z")
Once you have SP3 installed, try installing IE8 and then doing windows update. [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-8](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-8) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/18 "2013-10-24T21:37:29Z")
> [@lurcio](#): > > Once you have SP3 installed, try installing IE8 and then doing windows update. > > [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-8](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-8) Yep, tried that. No joy. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/19 "2013-10-24T23:42:43Z")
Make sure you have the latest version of Windows Update and that Automatic Updates Service is running. It should be able to update manually, no need to use “automatic” setting. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058/20 "2013-10-24T23:48:37Z")
I ran the [Windows Update Fixit](http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/), with no success. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fresh-install-of-windows-xp-can-t-run-updates-yes-win-xp/672058.md?page=2)