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Windows Service Pack 2 Updates

It's 10pm, Do you know what your computer is doing?

Randy Harris

April 16, 2005 (12:50:06 EST)

Are strange things happening with your Microsoft Windows XP computer this week? It could be that you have the "Automatic Update" settting turned on, and your computer is installing something known as "SP2", (Service Pack 2).

Service packs are Microsoft's way of sending collections of patches or fixes to end users. Due to the expiration of a "software lock" that allowed people to refuse the updates, beginning April 12, 2005 XP systems around the globe gave themself permission to download a 270MB "patch" that is supposed to fix some of the most obvious security weaknesses in the OS.

According to a thier website, "The latest Service Pack for Windows XP - Service Pack 2 (SP2) - is all about security, and it’s one of the most important service packs ever released. It provides better protection against viruses, hackers, and worms, and includes Windows Firewall, Pop-up Blocker for Internet Explorer, and the new Windows Security Center."

Since its release IT professionals and home users alike began reporting new or compounded problems including; security risks, loss of internet connectivity, conflicts with other non-MS security programs, and programs that would no longer run under the patched XP operating system.

I guess the best analogy would be; Someone has a cut that's bleeding. You have the choice of letting them bleed, or applying the only bandage available, one that's dirty and might cause an infection...

Microsoft has a long history or releasing software with critical security problems, and then applying still more updates to correct these. I guess the best analogy would be; Someone has a cut that's bleeding. You have the choice of letting them bleed, or applying the only bandage available, one that's dirty and might cause an infection...

To compound the problem, Microsoft has engineered XP to automatically update itself, and you can't force it to not download the patch file. Granted, XP will not begin the update of your system until you click the little balloon telling you there are updates ready be installed. But, if you don't install SP2, the answer to all support problems will be "Did you install SP2?", (and if you have installed it and still have problems, the same question will ultimately be asked).

The choice is somewhat yours... Allow the autmoatic update then deal with any issues that arise -or- don't update and wonder if you are at risk for known security problems that predate SP2.

SP2 is an update for the following versions of XP:

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

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