You asked specifically about "updates" in the Add/Remove programs listing.

The updates shown there are generally critical to your security, and if you remove them you are likely to be vulnerable to malware that wouldn't otherwise be a concern.

If you remove the latest "SP" update, you will no longer be able to get new security patches until you can put it back.

The only way to recover updates is by download from Microsoft, and getting all the critical ones on an older WinXP can mean very long downloads.

DON'T REMOVE THE UPDATES.

John