SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 KB948109 error

I've had the dreaded KB948109 error for the last week or so. This occurs when Windows Updates attempts to download and install the SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 Cumulative Update. The update fails when you have both SQL Server 2005 & SQL Server 2005 Express installed. Then you enter the despair of Automatic Updates downloading and trying to install the update – only to have it fail repeatedly.

The solution is to uninstall SQL Server 2005 Express and then apply the update manually.

Uninstalling SQL Server 2005 Express

Go to the Control Panel, click Add or Remove Programs and then click Remove for Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

Check the Remove SQL Server 2005 instance components and then check the SQLEXPRESS database engine radio button.

Reboot for good measure.

Installing KB948109 manually

Download KB948109 here:

Security Update for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (KB948109)

Reboot and you’re done!