Hundreds of thousands of developers and IT professionals have already tried out the software.

The final version, insiders say, will be smaller but still a large file.Ī first beta of the Windows XP update was released in December, followed by Release Candidate 1 in March and a second release candidate in June. Microsoft wouldn't comment late yesterday, but the latest test version was 264MB in size. The service pack will be a significant download. SP2 contains bug fixes and updates, but it also offers new features and makes significant changes to the Windows software in four main areas: network protection, memory protection, e-mail security and browsing security.

The new update service includes smart downloading technology that will allow users to interrupt the large SP2 download and resume it later - a feature that's especially useful for users who have dial-up Internet connections.Īlthough Microsoft has called Windows XP SP2 a service pack, analysts have said that the update really is more comparable to a Windows upgrade. The delivery will start with the launch of a new version of Windows Update, called Windows Update Version 5, the spokesman said. With that release to manufacturing, or RTM, Microsoft will begin the process of distributing the already delayed service pack to users. The head of Microsoft's Windows client business, Senior Vice President Will Poole, is expected to announce the company's plan to end work on Service Pack 2 (SP2) and release the code to manufacturing in August during a keynote speech at the company's Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto today, a Microsoft spokesman said in a statement. The much-anticipated security-focused update should be available to users shortly after that. expects to finish work on Service Pack 2 for Windows XP next month. The ISO Image file contains the SP2 update.exe as well as support and deployment tools.Microsoft Corp. This service pack is available for Windows XP Professional, 圆4 Edition. In addition, it adds new features and updates to existing Windows Server 2003 features and utilities. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) is a cumulative service pack that includes the latest updates and provides enhancements to security and stability.

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