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Updating Windows XP and Office XP

You will need to print the detailed instructions first as you will want to reference them as you complete each step. We suggest you add this page to your favorites (bookmark) as you will need to reboot your computer several times and will need to come back to this page each time. Click here to open and print the instructions packet.

We ask that you perform each step in the order that they are given.

Step 1. Delete your Internet Explorer cache and cookies - By removing these temporary files you will speed the completion of the steps that follow. Instructions are available in the instructions packet.

Step 2. Run a virus scan - College owned PC's and laptops and those purchased form the Bookstore can run the McAfee virus scan. If students brought a PC or laptop from home with existing virus scan software, please run that. If you do not have virus scan software you can download and install a trial version of AVG Anti-Virus. Click here to download AVG Anti-Virus trial version. Instructions are available in the instructions packet.

Step 3. Run Ad-Aware and SpyBot - If your computer is infected with spyware or adware the Windows XP update could cause problems with your computer. Spyware and adware can also cause your computer to run slowly and cause large amounts of network traffic. Spyware and adware is prevelant on the Internet and can be installed on your system without your knowledge. We recommend that you run these scans weekly. After you run Ad-Aware please run Spybot. Although these are both very good cleaning programs one alone will not always clean everything. Click here to download Ad-Aware spyware remover. Click here to download SpyBot spyware remover. Instructions are available in the instructions packet.

Step 4. Back-up your data (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, etc.) files - The network is generally the best place to save your files. In event that there are problems with your computer, files on your hard drive my not be retrievable. Instructions are available in the instructions packet.

Step 5. Run the SP2 update and configure - Click here to download Service Pack 2.

Step 6. Update Office XP
**Download and install Office XP Service Pack 3 full file edition
**Reboot
**Download and install OfficeXP KB832332 update
**Download and install OfficeXP KB873379 update
**Download and install OfficeXP KB833858 update
**Reboot
**Go to officeupdate.microsoft.com, scan, and update as necessary.
**If it installs anything, repeat the process (as the first pass might just get pre-requisites)
Repeat until office-update shows nothing left to install.

Other applications may need to be updated. We suggest that you check the vendor website for each application that you have installed to be sure you have gotten all possible updates. You can also check the Windows update page and look for any critical updates.

Thank you for taking the time to perform these updates.