SP2 to be forced out
Published: 28 Feb 2005 09:50 GMT
Microsoft is alerting customers that it will soon start delivering Windows XP Service Pack 2 to all customers using Automatic Update, whether they want it or not.
In response to requests from businesses, Microsoft last year released a tool that allowed companies to continue using the automatic update feature but temporarily block the security-oriented update from downloading.
However, the grace period comes to an end on 12 April. Microsoft has posted a warning on its Web site, alerting people about the impending deadline.
"Time is running out!" Microsoft said. "Please note that the mechanism to temporarily disable delivery of Windows XP SP2 is only available for a period of 240 days (eight months) from August 16, 2004. At the end of this period (after April 12, 2005), Windows XP SP2 will be delivered to all Windows XP and Windows XP Service Pack 1 systems."
Microsoft first released the SP2-blocking tool in August, saying it would allow customers to put off the upgrade for 120 days. In September, Microsoft said it would double the length of time, to 240 days, to give businesses more time to test the software.
In a statement, Microsoft said it is sticking to that schedule.
Jon Murchinson, a Microsoft product manager, said: "SP2 is an important, free security update for Windows XP customers that is already delivering value to over 180 million customers worldwide."
The move affects only those who use Windows' automatic update to connect directly to Microsoft servers. Some businesses have reconfigured the automatic update feature to connect to their own corporate update servers. Those companies can continue to push out updates to their own schedule.
While recognising the need for customers to test software, Microsoft has been urging businesses to move to SP2 for its enhanced security benefits, particularly for portable machines that frequently travel in and out of a corporate firewall.
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40 comments
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I think Microsoft forget to mention putting users... Anonymous -
Mcrosoft still have that arrogant action that they... Anonymous
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SP2 is not compatable with my Mesh AMD64 syst... Peter Mitchell -
All downloading and installing SP2 will... NJ -
In response to Peter Mitchell's comments... Jagdeep Sidhu
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Shame nobody forced Microsoft to write good code i... Hedley Phillips
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I also have a mesh amd64 system and after a number... Anonymous
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MESH AMD64
After major windows problems, I wi... Michael Krech
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This Microsoft's decision may force not a small pa... Anonymous
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Chances are if Longhorn requires SP2 not many... NJ
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To the people who have had trouble insta... Michael
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I installed SP2 on my home built machine (XP Pro),... Simeon Talbot
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I had the same issue. I used the update disk... Anonymous
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It's quite simple, we still have too muc... Big Al
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I installed service pack 2 without any problems tw... FIONA TOMANY
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will i think they would not froce this upon us xp... D.Mears
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How to disable SP2:
Shut down microsfts BITS... Anonymous
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flawed as it was upon its inception, xp... hitchawk
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It's a shame. Typical atitude by americans that be... Roberto Lamaille
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I response to Roberto. We americans are stuc... JT Churchman
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Because a long break down with my comput... Roberto Lamaille
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I think that this is BS. This is my computer and m... Casey Ledwon
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I had SP2 installed and it crashed my whole s... Anonymous
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I hate to say this but it's pretty much true. Many... Paul Devine
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Has it ever occured to anyone that it is poss... Anonymous
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I think this will become another famous trial stor... witchlore
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I`ll do prefer Linux by far... Walter J
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I have XP Home OS version on my computer and I hav... Anonymous
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i installed sp2 and it froze my computer up .... Anonymous
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I installed SP2 for XP. It locked up my computer... Anonymous
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hi! what can i do if everytime i download the sp2... zabre wawa
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I think Microsoft is doing a fine job but there ar... Agent Jackson
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Beta-testers, that's what you all are. And you eve... Arthur B.
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When I installed SP2 I had to reinstall XP just to... Anonymous
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It is my personal opinion that Mr.Gates is forcing... David L. Williams
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I think microsoft made a deal with the republicans... Anonymous
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I personally beleive that this is yet another... Vignesh Natarajan
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SP2 also will not work on any Emachines or Gateway... Patrick Maguire
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Nice article - and nice theory about SP2 and organ... Amy Stokes
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Yes I've also got a Mesh Matrix AMD64 system and S... Anonymous
