This free service pack delivers the latest security updates and innovations from Microsoft, establishes strong default security settings, and adds new proactive protection features that will help better safeguard computers from hackers, viruses and other security risks. Today Microsoft released Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) with Advanced Security Technologies to the Microsoft Download Web site. With the Windows Update program, many customers already had taken advantage of the updated code made available to them by the time of the SP1 release.Microsoft Releases Windows XP Service Pack 2 By: Arie Slob 'We noticed this with SP1, as there was not a tremendous build of anticipation for the SP release. 'Microsoft is discovering that more and more customers are using the Windows Update Service to get updates 'real time,' rather than wait for the release of a service pack,' said a spokesperson for the Windows client team. Windows XP Service Pack 2 is indicative of this change in thinking, as the company plans to include some new features in addition to usual fixes. Windows Update has worked so well that Microsoft says it can now be more flexible with how it rolls out larger updates. In a recent chat session regarding the Blaster Internet worm, Microsoft product manager John Hazen said, 'We do not currently have plans to create a Security Rollup Package for Windows XP, but are exploring ways to make these fixes more readily available and easier to install together.' The Windows server team handles publishing of such product road maps, and was not entirely in sync with the intentions of the client team.ĭespite the long gap between SP1 and SP2, Microsoft says it has no plans for an interim Windows XP update at this time.

The spokesperson attributed the difference to a communications disconnect between the Windows client and server groups. However, a company spokesperson characterized that date as conservative and told BetaNews that Microsoft is currently shooting for a 'mid-2004 release.' Microsoft is considering updating its Web site to reflect the adjustment, but no changes had been made by press time. The extended development period for SP2 came to light via Microsoft's Product Lifecycle Web site, which places the second Windows XP upgrade in Q3 2004.

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