JSI Tip 8396. When you upgrade Windows XP to any Service Pack, you receive 'Access Denied'?

When you install Windows XP SP1, SP2, or greater, you receive:

Access Denied

This problem will occur of the user does NOT have Full Control permission on the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update

To resolve this error:

1. Log on with an account that has administrative credentials.

2. Start / Run / Regedit / OK.

3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update

4. Right-click the Auto Update sub-key and press Permissions.

5. Grant the Administrators local group Full Control permissions.