AirPort: Windows XP users must have Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) installed to administer an AirPort base station

Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) is a service that's part of the Windows XP operating system, but one that may not be installed by default. WZC is required before you can use your wireless network adapter to configure an AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express base station.
WZC should be installed as part of XP Service Pack 2. If you haven't already done so, run the Windows Update tool in Windows XP and get Service Pack 2 or later and any other appropriate updates for your system. Microsoft has posted instructions on obtaining the latest service pack, How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack.

If you are unable to update to Service Pack 2 for any reason, you may be able to get everything working by ensuring a compatible version of WZC is installed on an XP machine running Service Pack 1. There are a couple of ways to determine if the WZC service is installed, activated, and up to date. To see if the WZC service is installed and active:

  1. From the Start menu, select Control Panels.
  2. Double-click Administrative Tools (if you don't see Administrative Tools, you may need to click Performance and Maintenace to reveal them).
  3. Select Services, and look for Wireless Zero Configuration.
  4. Make sure that the service is started and that the startup type is set to automatic.
  5. Navigate to C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\, and locate any of these component files:
    • wzcsapi.dll
    • wzcsvc.dll
    • wzcdlg.dll
  6. Right-click any of these, and choose Properties from the menu to determine the specific version. You should be using version 5.1.2600.1276 or later.
Published Date: Oct 10, 2016