Open Software Solutions

This article describes how hotfixes and updates are managed after you upgrade to a service pack in Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2008. After you upgrade to a service pack, you can still view previously installed hotfixes and updates in Control Panel.

Hotfixes and updates are independent of service packs. They remain on the computer until you remove them.

With the new servicing stack in Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2008, we support installations and uninstallations that occur out of order. This support allows for all hotfixes and updates to exist independent of one another.

However, the content of the hotfix or of the update may be superseded by a hotfix or an update that contains a newer version of the hotfix or update files. In this case, you can safely uninstall the older hotfix or update without affecting the new hotfix or update.

Windows maintains the copies of the files and points to the correct version of the files. When you uninstall the older hotfixes or updates, you remove the files from the older hotfix or update. This procedure does not change the pointers to the current files that are being used. However, if you have to remove the current hotfix or update, Windows will roll back further in versioning. We do not recommend that you remove the current hotfix or update.

To view the hotfixes and updates that are installed, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	Click Programs, and then click View installed updates.