Error message when you install an update for the .NET Framework 1.1 or for the .NET Framework 1.0: "The upgrade patch cannot be installed by the Windows Installer service"

If you do not have the product or service pack that the update targets installed on a computer, there is no useful purpose in trying to install the update on the computer.

However, if you receive this error message during a quiet installation, you should first determine whether an update is required. (For example, you may receive this error message during an administrative deployment for updates.) To determine whether an update is required, check for the prerequisite product or service pack before you try to install the update.

Microsoft enables you to detect all security updates. If you are using Windows Update (WU) or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), this detection is automatically handled. If you are not using WU or WSUS, you can use the Enterprise Scan Tool that is released for each security update to determine whether the update is required.