Member Avatar for chukeej

I am one of those SP2 users who haven't yet upgraded to SP3. Frankly, from all those horror stories about it, I am afraid to even try. I know that support for XP2 ends 7/13...my question is: if I decide to just stick with SP2, with ComodoFirewall/Avira Antivir/Malwarebytes/Superantispyware/Spyware Blaster now installed on my pc, will these programs keep my pc safe without my having to install XP3?

On another note....the Registry is heavily populated with XP2"updates". Is it "safe" to delete all these updates as I assume they've already been installed??
thanks for any and all replies.

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Quick answer for : do not manually delete the Windows update entries from the registry or from the C:\Windows folders unless you fully understand the consequences. Those entries and the blue-looking $NtUninstall... or $NtServicePackUninstall folders are the system's rollback data — they are not just log lines. Removing them by hand can leave the OS unable to remove a bad update, and deleting the wrong registry keys can break Add/Remove Programs or leave the system in an inconsistent state.

Where the uninstall data lives (for reference): the registry uninstall keys are under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and the matching uninstall folders are typically in C:\Windows\$NtUninstallKBxxxx$ (and service-pack backups under similar names). If your goal is to free disk space, use supported cleanup tools instead of deleting files or registry keys directly.

Safe options:

  • Make a full image backup or at least create a System Restore point first.
  • Use Disk Cleanup or the Microsoft-supported cleanup utility (the service-pack cleanup tool) to remove service-pack backup files safely — this frees space and permanently removes the ability to roll back via the supported method.
  • If you actually need to remove a specific update, use Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs -> Show updates to uninstall it; that is the supported procedure.

On the SP2 vs. SP3/security question: anti-malware and a good firewall reduce risk but do not replace OS-level patches. Service packs and hotfixes close vulnerabilities that malware and exploits target at the system/kernel level. If upgrading the OS is not immediately possible, harden the system (use a non-admin user for daily work, minimize exposed services, keep browsers/plugins updated, and limit network exposure), back up regularly, and plan a migration to a supported platform. Credit to , and for the practical points raised earlier; this expands on cleanup safety and rollback implications.

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Member Avatar for khakilang

All XP is going to end in 2014 so in another 4 years time Window XP will not get any support or updates. You can stick to SP2 for now and don't bother with SP3 or upgrade straight to SP3 and after that who know what might happen when all the support is gone. If you have the budget upgrade straight to Window 7 with new hardware. If not you can open yourself to Linux. Give it a try.

Member Avatar for chukeej

Thanks for ur reply...however, my question was not answered...that is, is it "safe" to delete all those numerous windows updates entries listed in the WinXP Registry, and/or Add Remove Programs list? since, I assume, these fixes/updates have already been installed on my pc? Would welcome further replies.

Member Avatar for gerbil

Expand C:\Windows. See all the blue $MIS... or $NT... Uninstall folders? You can delete those IF your system is working well. If you delete anything you mention from the CP Add/Rem Pgms list you will uninstall those items [updates]. That would be silly.
SP3? Go to Windows and dl the update .enu.exe file. Install it. Easy as. Safe as. Search engines pick up all the complaints, but the many tens of millions who did it correctly and had no problem don't go onto websites.

Edited by gerbil because: n/a
Member Avatar for herb262

I am one of those SP2 users who haven't yet upgraded to SP3. Frankly, from all those horror stories about it, I am afraid to even try. I know that support for XP2 ends 7/13...my question is: if I decide to just stick with SP2, with ComodoFirewall/Avira Antivir/Malwarebytes/Superantispyware/Spyware Blaster now installed on my pc, will these programs keep my pc safe without my having to install XP3?

On another note....the Registry is heavily populated with XP2"updates". Is it "safe" to delete all these updates as I assume they've already been installed??
thanks for any and all replies.

herb252-not an expert but did install SP3 and have not had a problem, can't tell you about any conflicts with s/w you referenced as to any conflicts

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