Some updates were not installed - Windows XP Update Error and how to fix it

"Some updates were not installed" - Windows XP Update Error

I had this happen today, first time I've seen it. I rebooted/deleted/tried again, no go.

Here is how to fix it.

1) Create a folder on the root of your "C" drive called T (easy simple name, we will delete when done)

"C:\T"


2) http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe

Download and save the file from the URL above to the "C:\T" folder you created in #1


3) Click on 'Start/Run', type the following:

CMD

Click "OK". This will open a command/dos window.

Now type the following in the command window:

CD c:\t

This will change to the "T" folder you created in #1

once you are in the "T" folder type the following:

C:\T\WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe /wuforce

This will force a reinstall of the Windows Update agent.

After the program is done installing, you can delete the "T" folder and the file within.


4) Open IE and go to the Window Update web site and try to update again.

I used this process today and it worked great!


Side note: if you have windows explorer open, and you've saved the file you downloaded to the "T" folder, you can rename the file to "W.exe" (no quotes of course) and then when you go to the command window and change to the "T" folder, you only need to type:

w /wuforce

have fun.