How to Fix the Svchost.exe Application Error in Windows XP

If you use Windows XP Professional, you may encounter the SVCHOST.EXE error message. When this error is displayed, you will have the option to either click "OK" to terminate the program or click "Cancel" to debug the program. This error message usually occurs after Windows Updates ran before your previous shutdown. When starting the computer in Safe Mode, you will still receive the error message. If you use the event log in Windows XP, you will more than likely find out that the process causing the problem is svchost.exe. Follow the steps below to fix this error.

Verify and Configure your Windows Update Service Settings.

1.Click on the START button at the bottom left-hand corner of your desktop. Once the Start menu opens, click RUN and then type in "services.msc" in the text field. Click OK when you are done.

2.Navigate to the Automatic Updates service in the right-hand pane and then double-click on it. Select the LOG ON tab. Now make sure that Local System Account is selected as the default logon account.

3.Un-check the option labeled "Allow service to interact with desktop." Now go to the "Hardware Profile" section, also found under the "Log On tab." Enable this service.

4.Click on the GENERAL tab. Verify that the start-up type is set to "Automatic." If not, use the drop-down menu to select this option.

5.Go to the "Service Status" section. Click on the START button to enable this service. Do the same thing for the "Background Intelligent Transfer Service." (or BITS)

Re-configure Your Windows Update DLLs

Delete the Corrupted Windows Update Files


1.Type the following command into the command prompt and press Enter: net stop WuAuServ. Type in: cd %windir% and hit Enter.

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2. Now type in: ren SoftwareDistribution SD_OLD. This will rename the SoftwareDistribution folder.

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3. Restart the Windows Update service by inputting the following command: net start WuAuServ.

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4. Type in: Exit and then hit Enter to close the Windows Command Prompt.

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5 .Reboot your PC. When you restart Windows, you shouldn’t receive this error message anymore. If you do, Download the two Windows Updates listed in RESOURCES below.