Description of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista

This article describes the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista-based computers. Microsoft released the System Update Readiness Tool to resolve certain conditions that could cause installing updates and other software not to work. You do not have to manually run this tool. This tool is offered automatically through Windows Update to computers that have a condition that the tool could resolve.

Update information

After you download the System Update Readiness Tool, it runs a onetime scan for inconsistencies that might prevent future servicing operations. This scan typically takes less than 15 minutes to run. However, the tool might take significantly longer on some computers. The Windows Update progress bar is not updated during the scan, and progress seems to stop at 60% complete for some time. This behavior is expected. The scan is still running and you should not cancel the update.

The System Update Readiness Tool is available from the Windows Update Web site. To obtain this update, follow these steps:

1. Click Start > Control Panel, and then click >Security
2. Under Windows Update, click Check for updates

Important This update is offered on Windows Update only to computers that have a condition that the tool could resolve.

What is the System Update Readiness Tool?

System resources, such as file data, registry data, and even in-memory data, can develop inconsistencies during the lifetime of the operating system. These inconsistencies might be caused by various hardware failures or might be caused by software issues. In some cases, these inconsistencies can affect the Windows servicing store, and they can cause software updates not to work. The System Update Readiness Tool tries to resolve these inconsistencies.

What does the System Update Readiness Tool do?

The System Update Readiness Tool verifies the integrity of the following resources:

• Files that are located under the following directories:
• %SYSTEMROOT%\Servicing\Packages
• %SYSTEMROOT%\WinSxS\Manifests

• Registry data that is located under the following registry subkeys:
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Components
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Schema
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing

Note This list may be updated at any time.

When the System Update Readiness Tool detects incorrect manifests, files, or registry data, it might replace the incorrect data with a corrected version.

Download the Windows Vista package now.

Download the Windows Vista x64-based package now.

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