You can install Windows XP on your computer not only “from scratch” (i.e. full installation), but also on top of the old operating system. This type of installation is called Windows update.
Unlike a full installation, an update allows you to keep your documents, programs and settings in working order. When an update is performed, Windows is installed in the same folder as the current OS (thus updating it). Whatever installation option you choose, you must have boot disk with the required version of Windows.

There is an opinion that all problems in the operation of the OS can be solved by updating it. In fact, this is not always the case. When reinstalling “over”, there is a possibility that errors in the system registry accumulated by the old OS during its “life” may transfer to the new operating system.
In addition, it is impossible to say with one hundred percent certainty that after the update absolutely all programs will work as before. It is possible that problems will arise with some program.

Updating (reinstalling) Windows is the last resort for troubleshooting. After it - only full installation (with formatting hard drive). Therefore, if malfunctions occur in the operation of your system, do not rush to solve them with such a radical method. There are other options for restoring the health of your Windows.

Before updating the system, I would strongly advise creating backup copy important data for you on another local disk or external media (for example, if you have the 1C accounting program installed, be sure to copy the directories with the database). The best option would be to make an image of the entire system partition using the program Acronis True Image.

So, I warned you about the possible consequences of reinstallation; Now let's proceed directly to updating Windows. This installation can be launched directly from the operating system.

1. Turn on your computer and wait for the OS to load.
2. Disable your installed antivirus.
3. Paste installation disk from Windows XP to your computer's DVD drive. If after this the welcome window does not appear on the screen, then open the disk and run the file setup.exe.
4. In the window that appears, select “ Installing Windows XP”.
5. In the next window, select the installation type “ Update (recommended)” and click the “Next” button.
If we chose the installation type “ New installation ”, then a full installation would be launched, and then our programs and settings would not be saved. They may remain in the Program Files folder (if we refuse to format the disk during the installation process), but in new system will not work.

6. Then we accept license agreement and click “Next”.
7. In the next window, enter the license key.
8. In the “Dynamic update” window, you can put a marker next to “ Download updated installation files” if our computer is connected to the Internet. Otherwise, select “ Skip this step and continue Windows installation " Click “Next”.
9. In the next window we will see a copy indicator on the left installation files. If no unexpected problems arise, the computer will reboot itself. And we can only calmly watch the further update process. By the way, it is much faster than installing from scratch.
10. Finally, our PC will reboot one last time and the updated Windows XP will start. In case the Internet settings and local network If they go wrong, set them up again.

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Above I described the installation process as it should ideally be. But sometimes during installation some problems may arise. For example, when following step 9 of our instructions, the “ Error when copying files”:
It is impossible to unequivocally answer why it appeared. Below are discussed possible reasons occurrence of this problem and some solutions:

1. Anti-virus software was not disabled before installation.
2. The Windows XP installation disc is scratched.
3. Your CD or DVD drive is faulty.
4. There is a virus on the computer. Before starting installation, conduct a full system scan with an antivirus (for example, DrWebCurelt).
5. Malfunction random access memory or hard drive.
6. There is incompatibility of any program or device. To check this, insert the installation disk with Windows XP into the drive - select “System compatibility check” - “Automatic system check”.
7. Try copying the entire contents of the installation CD to a folder on your local HDD and start the installation from it (via the setup.exe file).
8. At the beginning of the installation process, in the “Dynamic Update” window, select “Download updated installation files” (if, of course, you have Internet access on your computer).

As you can see, there can be quite a lot of options and getting to the bottom of it is not so easy. For this (and not only) reason, I believe that optimal reinstalling Windows– this is a complete installation from scratch with formatting of the system partition. Naturally, you must first copy all the files that are important to you, as well as settings and drivers.

Any product produced on the modern market software, one way or another, contains unprotected areas called holes. Over time, these “holes” are improved and to eliminate them, the manufacturer releases “patches” that are combined into updates called service packs. Then the developers recommend that users install the latest service packs so that the user receives the most secure and modified version of the purchased product. This article will tell you how to XP and become the owner of the most advanced version of this operating system.

Every advanced user is inclined to believe that it is much easier to update already installed program rather than completely removing it and reinstalling it again. Developers most often agree with this, trying to make life as easy as possible for the owners of existing software. Nowadays, almost every PC owner knows how to update Windows XP while preserving all the programs and files installed on the computer. But this information is worth repeating for novice users and those who have previously interacted with a computer firsthand.

How to update Windows XP while maintaining the usual OS settings, programs, games and other files installed on the computer? To do this, it will be enough to enable the system function. For this purpose, Microsoft, which is the creator of the Windows family of operating systems, has created a whole series of programs called “Update Center”. This service available to owners of all computers running Windows OS different versions. The only mandatory condition for receiving updates through this service is to connect your computer to the Internet. If the PC has constant access to the Internet, then the user just needs to enable it in the update settings. This is done using the “Start” menu, from which the “System” section is launched from the “Properties” item, in which you need to select the option to download the latest packages from the “Center” Windows updates».

If the computer does not have constant access to the Internet or downloads latest updates is impossible for a number of other reasons (slow or unstable Internet channel, high cost of traffic, etc.), then you can install the latest updates, or, more simply put, install all Windows XP updates in manual mode. There are two ways to do this.

For the first, you need to look at its version in the properties of the installed operating system and download all the missing software products from the official website (microsoft.com). For example, if your PC has Windows XP with a second service pack, then you need to download the third update package and start installing it by running the setup.exe file. Next, the operating system will be updated without the user’s help, but we should not forget that all data saved on the desktop and drive C may be lost. Therefore, before upgrading Windows XP, you need to save all the necessary user data from the desktop to removable media or any other hard drive.

The second installation method is that you need to purchase a bootable CD with the latest version of the operating system and place it in the CD-rom of your computer. After this, you should restart the PC or run the installation manually from the disk. How to update Windows XP from a specific one is usually described in detail in the instructions supplied with it. If you don’t have such instructions in printed form at hand, most likely it can be found in electronic form on the media itself - most often the file describing the installation is called “readme”.

It should not be forgotten that this moment latest versions Windows XP updates are contained in a package called Service Pack 3. If specifications computers allow you to do this, you can upgrade this operating system to a more new Windows Vista, but PC performance may noticeably decrease.

Hello dear readers.

At one time the operating room Windows system XP has made a real breakthrough among similar software. It was considered the best in the company's arsenal even after the release of Vista. And only the seventh build was able to offer users something really worthwhile. Despite the fact that today the majority of users use Win 10, there are still those who prefer the previous options. But unfortunately the developers stopped supporting them. At the same time, new malicious applications are constantly appearing that can harm any computer. In the article below, I will tell you how to update Windows XP using various methods.

Microsoft stopped supporting the above version of the operating system back in 2010. This indicates that devices running it can no longer receive updates in automatic mode. This makes the system vulnerable to malware attacks. As a solution to the situation, representatives of the IT corporation suggest simply upgrading to version 10. But unfortunately, this is not always possible.

There are still users using outdated device models. Many cannot or even do not want to purchase new licenses. After all, in fact, it’s too early to write off XP.

Fortunately, experts managed to find a way to solve this issue.

Up to SP3( )

In general, users can update their device to new version operating system or simply add some elements to the existing one. Since support for the version we need has officially been discontinued, below we will tell you how to manually change from SP2 to SP3.

In fact, you don’t need much for this – a corresponding downloaded file on your hard drive or on a portable connected device.

In any case, you just need to run the installer and follow the prompts to complete everything. As a result, after some time on your laptop or desktop computer the new version will be installed.

To check the successful operation, on the desktop we find the icon “ My computer" and press RMB on it. Select properties. The version will be indicated here.

If after the procedure you suddenly have some problems with the operation of the device, try starting the operating system from the boot disk.

Internet( )

There is also a way to get new security features for free over the Internet. It was published for the first time on one of the popular German forums. Experts said that there is an option that changes the perception of the service Windows Update. As a result, it turns out that the assembly we need will be determined by the system as Embedded POSReady2009. And this will significantly strengthen protection against malware.

The fact is that the difference between the two operating systems is small, and therefore the same files are suitable for both. And if for XP support stopped in 2014, then for the second option it will last until mid-spring 2019.

To achieve the goal you need to perform several movements:

Open " Notebook».

We place the following lines in it:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
"Installed"=dword:00000001

Click " File" and go to " Save as…».

We indicate any name, after which we write “ .reg»

In the column " File type» select « All».

Confirm your actions.

Now to start the procedure you just need to double-click on the new file. If that doesn’t work, we try to log into the appropriate service ourselves.

As a result, everything should go through without data loss. As a result, they will appear on the computer necessary components, allowing you to protect your device from network attacks, even modern ones.

Updating to a new OS version( )

Most people think that if the computer works old version system, which means there will be a new one. So, many people want to upgrade from XP to Windows 7 for free.

But it’s worth mentioning right away that this cannot be done quickly and easily. The fact is that the only way is to remove the old version and place a new one.

In this case, you can do everything without a plastic disk, but then you need a flash drive. In general, things are as always here - you create a bootable portable device, launch from it and do a clean installation. I've mentioned this many times before. Of course it’s better to save it in advance important files to a drive that will not be formatted.

Well, as you can see, despite its age, the old operating system is still used by many users. But for high-quality protection, it is necessary to at least occasionally place additions to the system. Especially after the latest global attacks. And there are such ways.

I hope this article will help you cope with this difficult problem. Subscribe to my blog and tell your friends about it, and you will learn everything about your computer!

Many users believe that installing operating system updates is a minor task that can be postponed until later, or even completely ignored. It must be said that those who hold this opinion are among the most numerous clients of computer services who are brought there by the need to recover data after a virus attack or “cure” a computer from a particularly persistent infection. In addition, refusal to update the system means a decrease in the level of its stability and reliability of its operation.

Problems that can be solved using Windows OS updates

• System protection. Any Windows version, including the most recent ones, contain a lot of hidden vulnerabilities (loopholes) that are used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to user data. Or to use the victim’s computer for their own purposes, for example, to carry out DDoS attacks, send spam, mine cybercurrency, etc. System updates protect the user from criminal attacks by closing these loopholes.
• Full hardware and software support. Developers of computer hardware and software are constantly improving technology, adding new functionality to their products. And this functionality will not be implemented operating system, if you do not implement the appropriate update to it. Also, thanks to updates, support for new equipment becomes possible.
• Improving computer performance and stability. New driver versions included with Windows updates can improve device performance and reduce power consumption. And new libraries and system modules make the OS more stable and efficient.

If traffic consumption or the stability of Internet access does not allow you to download all updates, you must install at least those that have the status of critical or important. They eliminate the most dangerous vulnerabilities and correct the most serious errors.

According to Microsoft representatives, support and release of updates for Windows XP will last until April 8, 2014.

How to download and install the update

Updates are installed via Windows Center Update from Microsoft, available through Control Panel:

Setting up scheduled updates

This option is also available from the panel Windows management XP.

• Click the Start button and launch Control Panel. Find the “Automatic update” option in it.

• Here you can choose one of three modes for installing updates, as well as disabling it (it is not recommended to disable it at all, except when you use the WSUS Offline Update service). The best option- This automatic update Scheduled. You set the day of the week and time for this. The other two options offer manual installation of updates at the user's discretion and only a notification to download and install them.

How to remove a Windows XP update

This must sometimes be resorted to when installed update Windows XP crashes.

• Launch Control Panel and select the “Add or Remove Programs” option and check the “Show updates” checkbox.

• Select the update that is causing problems from the list and click “Uninstall.” Then restart your computer.

Why Windows XP does not update and how to deal with it

The Windows XP update problem occurs for many reasons, the most common of which are the following:

• Viral infection. The presence of an active virus in the system can prevent the computer from accessing the update server, modify the registry keys responsible for this, interfere with their installation, etc. The solution to the problem is to remove the virus and restore damaged system functions.
• Windows Update is blocked by security policies. This can be done for some purpose by the computer administrator, and in some cases, by a virus. If you yourself are part of the administrators group and have not made such settings, first of all, conduct an anti-virus scan.
• Not enough hard drive space. Some Windows updates, especially large Service Packs, require a lot of free space. So make sure you have enough.
• Hardware faults or lack of support Windows drivers some devices. In this case, failures may occur when you try to install updates that contain drivers. If this happens to you, do not install such an update and contact the hardware developer.
• Use of unlicensed copies of Windows . In this case, some updates will not be available to you, but you will still be able to install critical and important ones.

If searching for the reasons did not help you figure out why Windows is not updating, you can use the Microsoft troubleshooter.

Installing updates using WSUS Offline Update

For organizations or a large network of home computers, you can organize an offline system update service using the tool WSUS Offline Update– a program that downloads Windows updates to one computer, from which the entire network can later be updated without connecting to the Internet. With its help you can update any operating systems.

The tool does not require complex settings. Before starting it, you need to unpack it into a separate folder, where the update package for your system will also be downloaded.

Important! The WSUS service only works on licensed copies Windows.

• Run the file UpdateGenerator.exe from the folder where you unpacked WSUS.
• Check the box next to Windows XP for your language version and click “Start”. Also, before this, you can add DotNET, C++, Windows Defender, MSE to the download by checking the corresponding “Include” items at the bottom of the window.
• After starting the program in the window command line The download log will be kept and should not be closed.
• Once the update download is complete, you will see a file in the WSUS directory (or subdirectories) UpdateInstaller.exe- this is what you needed. You can transfer it to other computers and run it - the updates will be installed.