Windows XP Updates, add-ons, Hot Fixes
Here you will find links to important Windows utilities, service packs, upgrades, etc. Hot fixes and some of the critical updates are also called SP2 - however, there really is no Service Pack 2 - and since there are so many updates and fixes it confuses the issue to call any of them SP2.
WinXP SP1 (not SP1a)
I used to recommend to everyone to NOT use SP1a !! It does not include a JAVA VM !! Microsoft dropped support for SUN Java due to competitive reasons (they say it was a court order). But Sp1 is now almost impossible to find (I have it, but it is a monster download, so I do not supply it). It does include the "working" JAVA VM v3805, but there is a way to add the MS JAVA VM back in, even if you installed SP1-a and your JAVA no longer works - just click on the link below:
*** see Fix Your JAVA
CAUTION - malicious code can exploit a security vulnerability in versions <3809 which could allow a trojan to be installed on a machine just by viewing a webpage. However, I have run 3805 for years without problems because I view a lot of traditional JAVA sites and need JAVA to work !! I also have this setup on all the PC's for each of my family members, and we have experienced no problems. It is actually very, very safe - and the odds of you ever running into such a malicious website are close to zero.
Fortunately, there is a simple workaround !! You can transform your SP1a into SP1. The only difference is the version of MS JAVA VM, so all you have to do is remove v3810 and install v3805. Click to download MS JAVA VM 5.0.3805 - and then go Here for instructions.
IMPORTANT NOTE: if you installed SP1a, or if you updated the MS JAVA VM from the Windows critical update site, then you have v3810, and your IE6 will not longer support SUN JAVA. Therefore, once you fix it - NEVER download the new version from the Windows update site. Of course you need to go to that sire periodically for critical updates, but each time you do, leave all critical updates in your "In Basket" except the MS JAVA VM (click Remove for that one, and download & install all others).
Windows Updates
There are two ways to do this. You can go to the standard Windows Update site, where it will examine your PC and then list all the updates that you DO NOT HAVE. Or you can go to the file-by-file download site, and there will be no check of your system. In addition, this site allows you to download and keep all the installation files on your drive - in case you need to reinstall later, or want to burn a CD and install the updates on another machine.
I recommend always downloading all critical updates, since Windows is famous for many security holes.
NOTE: you can also setup your PC to receive automatic updates, but I choose to deselect that (To turn on or off automatic updates, goto Control Panel/System/Automatic Updates tab)
Method 1 - automatic updates - search Your System and recommend updates that are not Installed (then the updates will be automatically installed and the Install files will not be saved anywhere for later re-installation:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Method 2 - manual updates - save the Install files to your hard drive. This is perfect to add all the updates to another PC - or to reinstall all the updates if you ever need to do a clean reinstall of Windows. This site works for all versions of Windows:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp
1) goto the manual update site
2) click "Find updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems" or "Find Driver updates for Hardware Devices"
3) select your Version of Windows and click "Search"
4) click the category - such as "Critical Updates and Service Packs"
5) in the list of updates, click "Add" for each one you want to download - this adds them to your "Basket" (Caution - this will add many Megabytes to the basket - so you may want to add only a portion at a time - and then download more later
6) click "Go to Download Basket"
Other Windows Downloads
XP Bootable CD Image File - use this to create a bootable WinXP Install CD - go Here for CD creation instructions
Lines (separators), Bullets, and Bars - a quick, simple set of the best looking ones, for MS Word and Web authoring
View XP Key - instantly displays the serial number (the key) of your current WinXP installation
XP Remember - does XP often forget the folder settings? Didi you set up a folder for icon view only to have it reopen later in list view? This reg file adds a key to the registry to set the "BagMRU" value to 8000. Normally no key is present, and the system defaults to remembering 400 folder settngs. This "may" fix the problem, but is not 100% successful
IE 6 Toolbar Repair - fixes corrupted toolbar