Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Setup Error: Access is denied.



As we all know Microsoft has released the final version of Windows XP SP3 to public and its available via Automatic Updates, Windows Updates and Downloads Center.

Earlier we posted about it at following link:

Windows XP SP3 RTM Available on Windows Update, Automatic Update and Download Center

You can download the SP3 from the above mentioned link.

A few ppl are facing a problem while installing SP3. Whenever they try to install it, Windows shows following error message:

Service Pack 3 setup error. Access is denied.

OR

Service Pack 3 setup error. Service Pack installation did not complete.

If you are also facing the same problem, then follow these simple steps and your problem should be solved:

1. Download and install the Subinacl.exe file from here.

2. Open Notepad and paste following code:

cd /d "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools"
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %windir%\*.* /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose

3. Save the file with name "SP3.bat".

4. Now right-click on the file and select "Run as administrator". It might take some time to complete.

5. After completion, restart your system and now you should be able to install SP3.



This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows XP.

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79 Comments

  • Worked like a charm. :grin:

  • cant believe man. you got solution for every problem. keep it up. :cool:

  • Wow, Microsoft really screwed this one up. Not only did they release an AUTOMATIC UPDATE that cannot be installed unless you close your antivirus (which isn't possible for my company's antivirus - the only choice is to unload it from the workstation), or to run this program that changes permissions on all registry values and windows files, BUT they ALSO provided instructions that only make sense in a VISTA environment. For example, telling people to right-click and go to Run As Administrator, or referencing "defltbase.inf", which is a file you only find in Vista.

  • Hi, i have the same problem in the register. But the Batch file is not working on mi computer.
    It stops after 3 seconds end the Html help file is popping up.
    "Beveiligingsconfiguratietaken automatiseren" (dutch)
    automatisation of security configuration (translation ?)

    thanks

  • :neutral:
    What a hassle...

  • wow brillant, .bat worked some people were telling me to do .cmd that wasnt workign!

  • I tried all the above but I still got the 'Access Denied' message and XP SP3 would not install.

    It turned out the only thing that fixed my system was to completely uninstall Webroot Spysweeper. Exiting the program would not do. Disabling all the 'Shields' would not do.

    I noticed that even Windows task Manager was unable to shut down the Spysweeper.exe process and that gave me the clue. As far as I can tell, the only way of shutting down SpySweeper completely, is to uninstall it.

  • Spysweeper = Spyware as far as I can tell... typical "free for scan, pay to remove" scam...

  • Use Spywareblaster to make your computer immune to spyware and Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove spyware. Both programs are 100% free. Also I recommend using Mozilla Firefox instead of Internet Explorer. Make sure you install Firefox prior to installing Spywareblaster.

  • SP3 update (iso to CD) didn't work for me, and I get the feeling something's still messed up. The "access is denied" was attacked by the subinacl.exe and batch file method outlined above. I tried again and still got the "access is denied" message. Also, when I rebooted, I was notified of "hardware changes" which required re-activation by distant phone support. Now I'm concerned about all the registry changes I made. File copying seems sluggish and I get hangups. I'm considering a restore with the Acronis backup I did before starting this. Interesting to hear about spysweeper, also, FWIW.  I should have uninstalled that one first, I guess. Maybe we should wait for "SP3- a" before messing with this SP3 public release.Jack

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