Add/Remove Panel Questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bruce
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Bruce

Hi,

I'm running WinXPHome, SP1, an OEM from Dell. The machine was first used
when it arrived on 3/8/03.

When I look into the Add or Remove Programs panel, many of the Windows XP
Hotfixes say (SP2). I wasn't aware there was an SP2. What is this about?

The next (3) quesions are about the "Last Used On" date shown for programs.

For the programs that came already installed, i.e. Word 2002, Dell Image
Expert, Microsoft Picture It, Microsoft Works 7.0, Paint Shop Pro 7, the
date shown is 3/8/03, which is the date I set the machine up. However, I
use these programs almost every day. Why is the date still 3/8/03?

For most of the programs that I installed later, i.e. Nero, Office 97, the
date shown is the date I installed them, but again, I used them daily.

And finally, other programs, like the Epson printer I installed on 9/23/03,
but use daily, shows 9/29/03.

Does anyone know the rhyme or reason of how the "Last Used On" date is
calculated?

Sincerely,
Bruce
 
Bruce said:
Hi,

I'm running WinXPHome, SP1, an OEM from Dell. The machine was first used
when it arrived on 3/8/03.

When I look into the Add or Remove Programs panel, many of the Windows XP
Hotfixes say (SP2). I wasn't aware there was an SP2. What is this about?
Click to expand...

The hotfixes are post-SP1 and should become part of SP2 when it is released,
sometime next year. When you install SP2, the hotfixes should disappear and
be archived if you choose that option when installing SP2. If you uninstall
SP2, the hotfixes should appear again.

Here is the schedule for Service Packs:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/servicepacks.mspx

HTH
 
Bruce, the SP2 hotfixes you reference do not indicate that SP2 has been
released. It's still not due until late next year. These hotfixes will be
wrapped up and included in SP2 when it is released. As for the last used
date, I gave up on trying to figure that one out.
 
Bruce,

The Hotfix entries say SP2, because they're "post SP1", and will be included
in SP2 when its released. If you install SP2 when it comes out, all the
individual SP2 entries will go away.
 
The patches marked SP2 are slated to be included in SP2 when it is released. I have never found the "Last used on" information in Add/Remove to be very accurate or useful and tend to not pay much attention to it. Both of these situations fall into the "shrug" category for me since they have no adverse effect.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/
 
Bruce said:
I'm running WinXPHome, SP1, an OEM from Dell. The machine was first used
when it arrived on 3/8/03.

When I look into the Add or Remove Programs panel, many of the Windows XP
Hotfixes say (SP2). I wasn't aware there was an SP2. What is this about?
Click to expand...

They may be seen as 'candidates' for inclusion in SP2 when it comes out.
The next (3) quesions are about the "Last Used On" date shown for programs.

For the programs that came already installed, i.e. Word 2002, Dell Image
Expert, Microsoft Picture It, Microsoft Works 7.0, Paint Shop Pro 7, the
date shown is 3/8/03, which is the date I set the machine up. However, I
use these programs almost every day. Why is the date still 3/8/03?
Click to expand...

I think you are mixing up two different dates: there are three in all
that are recorded:

Date Created is when the file was initially put in the place where it
now is. So often the date the machine was set up. If you replace the
file by copying over it, that date will not change.

Date Modified - this is part of the file (if it exists) and shows when
changes were last made - so base system files have dates in August 2001
(or 2002 if they were came with SP1) or later if they were new versions
in Hot fixes.

Date last Accessed - when it was last opened. Unfortunately this may
get updated simply by looking at the Properties of the file in Explorer,
as this opens it enough to see any additional info - like the Date
Modified. So to be useful you have to look at the folder containing it
in Details view, and ensure that Accessed date is checked in View -
Choose Details
 
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