The registry entries are not updated when Microsoft re-releases a security update or a hotfix in Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 (901168)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP4
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64-Bit Edition (Itanium) 2003
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1a
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1a
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

INTRODUCTION

When Microsoft re-releases a security update or a hotfix, the registry entries are not updated. This behavior is expected. This behavior does not affect the system on which the security update or the hotfix is installed.

MORE INFORMATION

Consider the following scenario. An earlier version of a security update or a hotfix is installed on the computer. You install a new version of the security update or the hotfix. The FileList key in the registry for the security update or the hotfix still displays the earlier file versions and checksums.

The security update installer or the hotfix installer treats the new installation like a reinstallation. Therefore, the security update installer or the hotfix installer does not update the registry entries.

Microsoft Windows Update and Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) do not use the registry entries to look for installed fixes. Any tools that use the registry entries assume that the installed file version is the version that is listed in the registry or a newer version. Therefore, you do not break any reporting tools or any detection tools when you install a new version of a security update or a hotfix.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/8/2005
Keywords:kbinfo KB901168
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.