Microsoft's Windows XP Home Service Pack 2 Install step by step

Welcome to Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 2 Install step by step. This will give you an idea on how to do this when and if the time arises for you upgrade your Windows XP. This install guide is fully graphical and will take you through each step of the installation. 

What you will require to do this walkthrough is 

1. A Windows XP Install

2. The Service Pack 2 Download

Where can you get service pack 2 (SP2) ?

There are a few different places that you can get SP2, first is through windows update (go to www.microsoft.com/protect ), although the best option is to download the actual install file from: http://servicepack2.windowsreinstall.com/  burn it onto disk and keep it for future use, because if you ever need to reinstall Windows, you will have to install SP2 again also. 

Be warned though if you are using a modem forget about using either option, as it will take forever to download. Magazines will have it on cover disks, so go out and buy one, it will save you a load of hassle. 

  

 

Windows XP - Service Pack 2 (SP2) install.

After you have downloaded the SP2 file, find it and double click on it.

      

File will then extract.

Now click on next

Now the user agreement, once read click on "I AGREE" and then next to continue

Now SP2 will ask you to confirm the extraction location, if you are happy with it then click "NEXT".

SP2 will begin installing, this may take some time so be patient.

Once finished SP2 will ask if you wish to reboot. If you do not select the "DO NOT RESTART NOW" box, otherwise click finish.

After reboot an option for Live update will appear, this will keep your computer automatically up to date with the latest patches. Select which ever option you prefer.

Once Windows has booted up, the Security Center will appear on screen. Older versions, or less common versions of Anti-Virus software may have status problems listed, we will cover this later.

Service Pack 2 is now successfully installed.