The download size of Office XP Service Pack 2 on the Office Update Web site is larger after December 16, 2003 (833365)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Update Site
  • Microsoft Office XP (Setup) Service Pack 2 (SP-2)

SYMPTOMS

When you download Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 2 (SP-2) from the Microsoft Office Update Web site, the download file size of Office XP SP-2 is much larger after December 16, 2003 than it was before that date.

To look for updates to your Office programs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/mainCatalog.aspx

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because Office XP Service Pack 2 (SP-2) has been refreshed with a much larger update (full-file version) than earlier versions of the Office XP SP-2 update.

WORKAROUND

To avoid the large download of the full-file version of Office XP SP-2, you can download the much smaller update (binary version). To do so, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1a8ce553-ab76-4a63-99da-b4ed914c1514&displaylang=en

However, if you experience installation (setup) problems when you install the binary version of the update, you may want to download the full-file version of Office XP Service Pack 2 (SP-2).

MORE INFORMATION

The Office Update Web site has been refreshed with an updated version of Office XP Service Pack 2 (SP-2) that is designed to reduce some of the common installation problems.

Additionally, the updated download has been designed so that you do not have to insert your original Office XP CD-ROM when you update Office XP.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

828451 Why service packs, updates, and security patches may require the Office XP CD-ROM

Why are there two versions of Office XP Service Pack 2 (SP-2)?

In reality, the two versions of the Office XP Service Pack 2 (SP-2) update installs the exact same update. However, this is accomplished by using two different methods.
  • The full-file version (from the Office Update Web site) uses a complete file replacement method.
  • The binary version (from the Microsoft Download Center) uses a method that patches your existing Office files.
For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

330043 "Microsoft Office XP Update Deployment" white paper is available at the Download Center

Note The full-file version of Office XP SP-2 is being offered after December 16, 2003 on a trial-basis that is based on customer feedback.

What is the file size difference between the full-file version and the binary version?

The download file size of the binary version on the Microsoft Download Center is 15 megabytes (MB), while the download size of the full-file version on the Office Update Web site is 50 MB.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:11/22/2005
Keywords:kbdownload kbprb KB833365 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
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