neowin.net

The SP2 Thread - Reloaded
On this thread you will be able to find links to every neowin.net article related to Windows XP SP2. Where it is appropriate, links to other sites will be supplied as well as official and unofficial information about SP2's content, release, download availability and general rumors.

What is a Service Pack
"Microsoft continually works to improve its software. As part of this effort, we develop updates and fixes to recognized issues and release them for use by customers. On a regular basis (Hmm, Really - Leebobs),we combine many of these fixes into a single package and make the package available for customers to install on their computers. These packages are called Service Packs." - Quoting Microsofts SP1 Homepage

The main areas addressed by a Service Pack are:

• Compatibility with newly released software and drivers
• Security, including the latest updates for Windows XP security issues
• Operating system reliability

SP2's Basic Details

• Will contain all current publically available (Windows upadate) patches and a load of other (not publicly available) updates.
• Changes to Functionality in Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Microsoft Document
• Will Contain Wi-Fi Client Side Updates (server side patches will be included in Windows Server SP1).
• Changes to DCOM and the RPC interface will mean a greater restriction on buffer overruns.
• Will disable messenger service by default (Not to be confused with Windows Messenger).
• Will contain a new version of the Internet Connection Firewall (Now Called Windows Firewall), which will be enabled by default. This new version will be able to control outgoing data to the internet and not only incoming.
• A New Version of Internet Explorer will be included (6.05?). It will be locked down in a manner similar to, but not as restrictive as, the IE version in Windows Server 2003; IE6.05 includes new download security warnings, pop up add blocking and all the cumulative updates since SP1.
• SP2 will update Windows Media Player on all installations to Version 9.
• SP2 will update DirectX on all installations to version 9c.
• SP2 will Contain Windows MSI Installer version 3.0
• Windows XP SP2 includes support for Execution Protection (NX) hardware execution environment. (Supported on Athlon64's and Future Intel P4's)
• SP2 will enable the automatic download and installation of critical security hot-fixes, without user interaction.
• Will move the 'Set Program Access Defaults' Option to the start menu.
• SP2 BETA1 does Contain Concurrent Sessions, but its disabled - Cracked By Neowin
• SP2 RC1 (Build 2096) Contains Windows Media Player 9 Build 3133, Windows Security Center and DirectX9b
• SP2 RC2 (Build 2149) Contains Windows Media Player 9 Build 3196, Windows Security Center and DirectX9c

So what will SP2 Contain?? When will it be released?? When does BETA testing begin?? Well keep checking back for updates to the SP2 story here at Neowin

Basic information about what SP2 is scheduled to contain:
Neowin Guide to SP2's New Features (By [NFC]Wave)
Microsoft's Service Pack 2 Home Page
Official - www.microsoft.com
Official - Microsoft Windows Service Pack Road Map
Official - Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta Fact Sheet
Un-Official - Windows XP Post Service Pack 1 Updates Chart (Warp2Search)

Service Pack 2 Newsgroups
Windows XP SP2 Technical Preview Newsgroups - Official Microsoft Newsgroups

Service Pack 2 Previews & Reviews:
Short-Media - Windows XP SP2 vs SP1 Performance Comparison
ZDNet - Microsoft's efforts to close windows of vulnerability (VIDEO)
iPKonfig.com - The Coming of SP2 Part II
ipKonfig.com - SP2 Preview
Paul Thurrott - Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) FAQ (Updated for RC2)
Paul Thurrott - Windows XP SP2 with Advanced Security Technologies Review
Paul Thurrott - Windows XP Service Pack 2 (RC1) Screenshot Gallery
Paul Thurrott - Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta Review
Paul Thurrott - Windows XP Service Pack 2 Preview

News threads on leaked builds & Other Vital News(Most recent @ top):
Microsoft warns of 22 new security flaws
Update for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (KB884020)
Major Windows XP SP2 bug reveals documents worldwide
Microsoft Responds to SP2 Security Center Issue
Win XP Sp2 Problem (Security Center Issue)
Windows XP SP2 AU Delivery Confirmed for tomorrow (25th)
Critical Flaw Found in Windows XP SP2
200,000+ Downloads of Windows XP SP2 from Neowin.net
Security Experts to Microsoft: SP2 Has Critical Flaws
Service Pack 2 Hotfixes Begin Rolling Out
First Windows XP SP2 exploits discovered days after release
Updated Windows XP SP2 release schedule
Microsoft lists programs with possible SP2 issues
Windows XP SP2 Express Installer
Win XP SP2 "turns Firewire 800 into Firewire 100"
Download Windows XP SP2
Windows XP SP2 Final released to Beta Testers
Order Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD
Windows XP SP2 Delayed...again
XPSP2 hasn't RTM'd....just yet
Windows XP SP2 RTM Imminent
Windows XP SP2 RC2 (Build 2162) on Windows Update V5
Windows XP SP2 Build 2162 Released to testers
Windows XP SP2 RTM Shifts Into August
Windows update will be late, Microsoft says
Windows XP SP2 RTM due within 2 weeks
Microsoft denies third public SP2 preview
New Build of Windows XP SP2 expected today
Windows XP SP2 cracked already?
Download Windows XP SP2 RC2
Windows XP SP2 -- Live Webcast!
Windows XP SP2 RC2 Build 2149
Windows XP SP2 RC2 Ready To Go!
Microsoft bars Windows pirates From SP2
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Build 2142 Released
Windows XP Service Pack 2, Build 2138 on Windows Update v5
Microsoft working hard on XP SP2 RC2
Windows XP SP2 RC2 Delayed
Windows XP SP2 RC2 set for Wednesday (26th May)
SP2 TO CONTAIN DirectX 9C
Microsoft XP Service Pack 2 Still In Flux
Windows XP SP2 Build 2126 available...by mistake, yet again
Microsoft: SP2 Will Not Install on Pirated Copies of XP (BetaNews)
Everyone get to upgrade to XP SP2 even cracked copies...
Windows XP SP2 Interim Build 2120 Released
Microsoft pushes back XP update
Windows XP SP2 Build 2111 available...by mistake
SP2 to cause Microsoft support call flood?
Windows XP SP2 to RTM 23rd June?
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Technical Preview Out - Microsoft Releases SP2 to the Public
Windows XP SP2 RC1 Released to Testers
Windows XP SP2 could break existing apps
WindowsXP SP2 Build 2082 Download
Windows XP SP2 Beta Build 2082 Released To Testers
Exclusive: Windows XP SP2 Beta Build 2077 Screenshots
New Windows XP SP2 Beta Build Due Soon (Build 2081)
Windows XP SP2 release set for May 2004 (Bink.nu)
New build of XPSP2 expected soon, Lonestar integrated
Windows XP SP2 Beta Out Today - 18th Dec
Microsoft Preps XP SP2 Beta For Release Within Next Week
Windows Update V5 newsgroups appear, beta not far behind?
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta Invitation's Sent - Picked Up by Microsoft-Watch.com
Microsoft clears its own XP SP2 confusion
Update Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft accelerates Windows security update (SP2)
Windows XP SP2 Delayed Until Late 2004 (BetaNews)
Windows XP SP2 1224 leaked (Neowin Board) Confirmed as fake
Windows XP SP2 Build 1213 Download
Windows XP SP2 Updated to Build 1213
Windows XP SP2 Build 1204 Download
Windows XP SP2 Updated to Build 1204
Windows XP SP2 Updated to Build 1203
Windows XP SP2 Updated to build 1198
Windows XP SP2 updated to build 1194
Windows XP SP2 Build 1185 Download
2nd Alpha Leaks

News threads on related (possiably) items/features:
Microsoft Releases Energy Bliss (Royale) Theme
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools
Managing Service Pack 2 Features Using Group Policy
Microsoft ends SP2 torrent experiment with DMCA warning
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings XP SP2 (v2.4)
Service Pack 2 sheds light on Longhorn
AMD trumpets Windows XP SP2 virus blocker
DirectX 9.0c Redistributable
Microsoft Windows Installer RC2 (Last Beta release)
A[nother] look at Service Pack 2 for XP
Using the Windows Firewall INF File in Windows XP SP2
Microsoft takes Windows Update away from the pirates (In SP2)
New theme for Windows XP?
Windows XP update could cause support chaos
Why Microsoft should have made SP2 open to all
Deploying Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP SP2
Where, Oh Where Is Windows XP SP2? (eWeek)
Windows XP Bedevils Wi-Fi Users
WMP 10 and SP2 conflict - Step by Step Fix
XP SP2 Launch Price: $300 Million
Microsoft Anti-Virus?
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Windows XP SP2
Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 v2.0
Microsoft Questioned on XP SP2
Windows XP SP2 Release Candidate patched
Windows Update v5 Beta Opens To All
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for XP SP2 (Update)
Windows XP SP2 RC1 (Build 2096) Screenshots
Windows Messenger 5.0 Build 482
New Windows Update 5 EULA in preperation for RC1
Windows Update V5 Beta News (RC1 Soon!)
Microsoft to Add Service Packs for Visual Studio (To support SP2 Changes)
Windows XP Service Pack 2 to Activate NX bit on AMD chips
Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 (Update)
Review: Windows XP's big security fix (IOW SP2)
IE security patch nixes some apps
DirectX 9.0c is so yesterday, today its DirectX 9.1 or 9.2?
MSN Beta 7 Update - With SP2 Goodness
Next Direct X to be called 9.0c
Microsoft PC Satisfaction Trial "Alpha" End
Windows Installer v3.0 (MSI3.0) Beta 2 Released - Included in SP2
Group Policy Settings Reference for XP SP2 Beta
Have Win XP SP2 beta? Enable concurrent sessions.
Windows Update V5 is alive
Changes to Functionality in Windows XP Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer to stomp pop-ups (In SP2)
Windows Update V5 Testers To Test XP SP2 Beta
MS to intro hardware-linked security for AMD64, Itanium (In SP2?)
Windows XP SP2 News (Including BETA Release)
Microsoft shoots the Messenger
Windows Messenger v5 Build 468
Microsoft to extend Windows XP SP2 with 'Springboard'?
Microsoft plans Wi-Fi enhancements for Windows
Windows security update planned
Windows Media Player 9 Build 3075 Update Patch
Updated Beta Release of Update Rollup1 for WU4 Beta
Microsoft PC Satisfaction Beta v226.0 - Lost When Neowin Server Got Wiped
Windows Messenger 5.0 RTM - Lost When Neowin Server Got Wiped
Microsoft Finishes Windows P2P
Microsoft DirectX 9.0b
Windows Messenger 5.0 RC - Build 0335
Windows Media Player 9 Build 3014 Update Patch (Fix: Radio Preset Information)
Windows Messenger 5 Build 5.0.0292 Released
Windows XP and SP1 Kernel Rollup Hotfix Package
Windows Messenger 5.0 Beta 2 Build 0250 (The Real One)
Windows Messenger 5.0 Beta 2 Build 0250
Windows Messenger 5 Beta 2 is on it's way
Windows XP HotFix Q820291 - New Icon Location
Windows Media Player 9 Build 3005 Update Patch
Windows XP SP2 Concurrent Sessions confirmed
Windows Messenger 5 - Enters BETA Stages
Concurrent Sessions in Windows XP SP2
Exclusive : Windows Messenger 5 screenshots

BETA builds are available:
Windows XP SP2 RC2 - Technical Preview - Network Install Download Page (Official Microsoft Site)

Guides, Tools and Useful Downloads:
Neowin Guide to SP2's New Features (By [NFC]Wave)
Slipstream SP2 into Windows XP (Un-Official Guide)
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Windows XP SP2 (Microsoft Document)
Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 v2.0 (Microsoft Document)
Autopatcher XP Official Thread - All the Post SP1 updates (Plus Much more) in one Simple Easy to use Program!
Adding Drivers to a Slipstreamed CD

Un-Official BETA Release Date: Dec. 2003
Un-Official Gold Release Date: Early August
Official BETA Testing Begins: 18th December 2003
Normal - Major Release. Italic - Interim Release
BETA 1 - Build 2055 - Released 18th Dec. 2003
BETA 1 - Build 2082 - Released 24th Feb. 2004
RC1 - Build 2096 - Released 18th Mar. 2004
RC1 - Build 2120 - Released 1st May 2004 (By Mistake)
RC1 - Build 2126 - Released 13th May 2004 (Again... By Mistake)
Pre RC2 - Build 2138 - Released 2nd June 2004
Pre RC2 - Build 2142 - Released 2nd June 2004
RC2 - Build 2149 - Released 15th June 2004
RC2 - Build 2162 - Released 14th July 2004
RTM - Build RTM - Released 6th Aug. 2004
Official Release Date: ITS OUT!

Any information (please limiting rumours) that you would like to bring to the Neowin domain please feel free to post.
If you feel I have missed something of importance, please post up a link and mock my oversight

Please follow Std Neowin Rules and do not post links to SP2. Thankyou.
However feel free to look @ techconnect who seem to have the downloads avaiable

Neowin.net - The place for SP2 News!!!

This post has been edited by leebobs: Oct 18 2004, 11:05

Nice, thanks mate

hey dudes... i know SP1a doesn't have java but did they remove it from these latest builds that are being leaked ? (SP2 i'm talking about) I know it shouldn't be there but they started working on this before all that

Added Concurrent Sessions in Windows XP SP2 news from today to main page... Update broken links and tided main post up a bit.

leebobs: cool idea for a new thread ty, I'm amazed & proud to see how many item & links Neowin has done to cover sp2, we really are the best

Voodoo: Neowin is simply the greatest, I am proud to be part of a unique online community where enthusiasts from around the world come together to share knowledge, provide help and produce some top class debates and articles.

ALL: It doesn't look like another leak of SP2 will emerge until Microsoft successfully incorporate Concurrent sessions into a build. When that will be…. Only Bill Gates knows.

Keep checking www.neowin.net for updates.

thanks leebobs,

and to show that we appriciate you gathering the links together into a very useful & informative topic, I've now made it sticky for a while

cool~

is Concurrent Sessions implemented in the current build yet?

No, it wasn't as of 1213 but it is expected to be in the next leaked build

EDIT: Thanks for your kind words & Actions voodoo

w00t that will so rock!!!

any closer to a beta? or even projected release date?

Every day is one day closer!!! . I am still expecting the BETA to be announced first half of June and release Second Half June/Start of July.

*This is an educated guess however*

bad thing about sp2...
have to re reshack all the exes and dlls

what do you mean?

m0.