I tried installing an automatic security update for Windows XP, and it failed to install:
Anyone else see this?

I haven't seen it for that particular update, but I've seen it happen many times with others. You can try downloading the update manually and instaling.
Security Update for Flash Player (KB913433)

Thanks Alan. When I tried that, it gave a better error message:
A little more searching revealed that I'm running 8.0.22.0, and this fix is for versions 6 and earlier.

I'm a little miffed that the flash player does not appear to be in the control panel as an installed program. I guess it's just a browser plugin?

Well, so much for Microsoft only giving you the updates you need
I'd say that what you have installed is the Browser plug-in.

I really don't like that Microsoft pushes updates for third party programs & system drivers. I've had many problems with those.

I have had the same thing happen with Media Player updates when i dont have the version that the patch fixes.

Just happened to me today, fresh install of XP, running Microsoft updates, only that update was never applied.

I don't like it either. I don't know why they won't just stick to their own stuff and focus on all of that working correctly.

it's because other companies software have security bugs in it and if exposed, people are going to blame both microsoft and that company. not that smart people of course.

//krunk (^_^x)