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Windows XP Service Pack 1 - Unauthorized: All parameters of the installation file

November 30, 2013
Updated: December 6, 2021
Quick overview:

The installation of Windows XP Service Pack 1 actually only consists of a double-click and permanent confirmation by clicking Next. Anyone who continues to hold this opinion is definitely wrong, because SP1 offers 10 secret parameters with which you can influence the setup in your favor. In our forum, NADJI has dared to use all the command extensions and posted them clearly:

The easiest way to start the update with transferred parameters is the dialog via "Start", "Execute..."

The installation options can be transferred in two different ways. Either place the required parameter after a space followed by a slash or select the combination space followed by the minus sign.

Example: In this case, the executable file is located directly on C:\

C:\xpsp1_en_x86.exe /Parameters

or

C:\xpsp1_en_x86.exe -Parameters

Here are the parameters that can be set for the installation.

-u : Performs an installation in unattended mode

-f : Forces other programs to close on shutdown

-n : Selects the option "No file backup for uninstalling the service pack files"

-o : Overwrites existing OEM files during installation without prompting

-z : The system does not restart after installing the service pack

-q : Executes the installation in background mode (no screen output)

-l : Lists the hotfixes present in the system before the service pack was installed

-x : Decompresses the service pack files into a directory of your choice

-x: Path specification : Passes the path of the directory into which the service pack files are to be decompressed

-s: Path specification : Integrates the service pack files into a directory of your choice via Slipstream (option to create a Windows XP CD with integrated service pack)

During installation, bear in mind what effects the transferred parameters may have. It should also be noted that installation parameters cannot prevent the service pack update from being aborted by the operating system.

NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows Tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.

Founded Windows Tweaks as a teenager in the 90s. His helpful PC tricks made it Germany's most visited Windows site (at the time Sandro looked like this). He then went on to write elsewhere, for example for PC-Praxis, Computer Bild and PCWorld in the USA. Microsoft also poached him from us. Now Sandro is back, finally sharing his tweaks here again. For a stress-free digital everyday life. You can reach Sandro via e-mail.

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