Are Windows XP Service Packs Cumulative?

Question

I want to make a slipstreamed, bootable Windows XP installation CD, and I have the original installation CD that comes with no service packs.

Are Windows XP service packs cumulative? In order words, do I need to download SP1 and SP2 before I download SP3, or will SP3 suffice? If they are cumulative, this will make the slipstreaming process easier.

Answer 1

You could use SP 3 as a start point and add every update released after SP 3. How to slipstream an XP disc with SP3 and all other updates by David Ludlow is a step-by-step guide for that using Updates Downloader, Checker and Add-on Creator (UDC) script & nLite.

That said, you should really move on. Support for Windows XP has ended.

After 12 years, support for Windows XP ended April 8, 2014. Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for the Windows XP operating system. It is very important that customers and partners migrate to a modern operating system such as Windows 10.

Answer 2

Yes, for Windows XP, all Microsoft supplied service packs are cumulative. Service Pack 3 contains all the fixes from the previous service packs.

See this Wikipedia page and scroll down to "Incremental and cumulative SPs" for more information.