Windows IT Pro is the leading independent community for IT professionals deploying Microsoft Windows server and client applications and technologies.
  
  
  Advanced Search 


July 12, 2004

Windows XP SP2 to Ship in Early August, Microsoft Says

RSS
Subscribe to Windows IT Pro | See More News and Analysis Articles Here | Reprints | Or get the Monthly Online Pass—only $5.95 a month!

   A Microsoft representative told me this morning that the company will release Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) to manufacturing in early August, a date that contradicts various Web stories that are pegging the oft-delayed release as occurring in 2 weeks. Will Poole, senior vice president of the Windows Client Business at Microsoft, will announce the release schedule and other XP SP2 details during his keynote address today at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2004 in Toronto.
   According to the Microsoft representative that contacted me, SP2 is nearing completion and will be rolled out publicly when the most recent version of Windows Update is completed. "Microsoft is on track to release SP2 to manufacturing in August," the Microsoft representative said. "With that release to manufacturing (RTM), Microsoft will begin deployment of SP2, starting with the availability of Windows Update version 5. In distributing SP2, Microsoft's goal is to optimize the customer experience, delivering SP2 quickly and conveniently [through Windows Update version 5's] new smart downloading technologies for both narrowband and broadband customers."
   Microsoft will also undertake a customer-education initiative in which the company will try to communicate the importance of enabling XP SP2's Automatic Updates feature, which lets the PC automatically download (and, optionally, install) critical security updates. Enabling Automatic Updates will "allow Microsoft to quickly respond to a changing security environment and give customers an opportunity to easily and effectively keep their PCs up to date," I was told.
   Additionally, Microsoft this week is unveiling its new Windows Marketplace Web portal, a shopping and download site designed to help customers find and purchase third-party software, hardware and peripherals that work with XP and other Windows versions. Currently available only to US customers, Windows Marketplace will expand to international markets by third quarter 2004, Microsoft says. The company is using its partner conference this week to highlight the opportunities of Windows Marketplace.
   Poole will also announce licensing changes for XP Media Center Edition (XP MCE); these changes will go into effect in time for this year's holiday season. Though details are scarce at the moment, I'm told that products made especially for XP MCE will be able to participate in the "Designed for Windows XP" logo program. I'll have more information about this development as details become available.

End of Article



Reader Comments

You must be a registered user or online subscriber to comment on this article. Please log on before posting a comment. Are you a new visitor? Register now




Top Viewed ArticlesView all articles
2009 Windows IT Pro Editors' Best and Community Choice Awards

Picking a favorite product from an impressive crowd of competitive offerings is never an easy task, and such was the case with our Editors' Best and Community Choice awards this year. ...

Command Prompt Tricks

One reader shares his tip for setting up the command prompt to reflect a remote path. ...

WinInfo Short Takes: Week of November 23, 2009

An often irreverent look at some of the week's other news, including some post-PDC some soul searching, a Google Chrome OS announcement and a Microsoft response, Windows 7 off to a supposedly strong start, the Jonas Brothers and Xbox 360, and so much more ...


Related Events Windows, Unix, Linux Interoperability

Check out our list of Free Email Newsletters!

News and Analysis eBooks Getting Maximum Performance from Your Web-based Applications

Business Process Automation - Managing Cost in Your Enterprise

Related News and Analysis Resources Introducing Left-Brain.com, the online IT bookstore
Looking for books, CDs, toolkits, eBooks? Prime your mind at Left-Brain.com

Discover Windows IT Pro eLearning Series!
Clear & detailed technical information and helpful how-to's, all in our trademark no-nonsense format


Windows IT Pro Home Register FAQ for Windows WinInfo News
Europe Edition About Us Contact Us/Customer Service Media Kit Affiliates / Licensing  
SQL Server Magazine Office & SharePoint Pro DevProConnections IT Job Hound
Left-Brain.com Technology Resource Directory asp.netPRO ITTV Windows SuperSite 
 
 Windows IT Pro is a Division of Penton Media Inc.
 © 2009 Penton Media, Inc. Terms of Use | Privacy Statement