/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
| Microsoft Windows Sp2 Build # 2055 |
<---------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
| - Source: Ebineezer Scrooged - Type: Service Pack |
| - Packaged By: Winbeta - Image Format: exe |
<---------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
| - Files: Windows_XP_SP2_2055_FULL-Winbeta.rxx |
| - Number of CD's: 1 - Protection: 180 timebomb |
| - Archives: 1 - Release Date: 12/18/03 |
<-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - ------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Hardware Requirements: XP compatable system |
<-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
<---------------------------- R E L E A S E N O T E S ------------------------>
| |
| As part of Microsoft Corp.’s ongoing commitment to improving the Windows® XP |
| operating system, including making it more secure and helping protect customers |
| from malicious attacks, the company has released the Microsoft® Windows XP Service |
| Pack 2 (SP2) beta version to beta testers through the MSDN® developer program. |
| The SP2 beta is intended to give software developers and IT professionals |
| an opportunity to conduct early testing and to allow Microsoft to collect |
| valuable customer feedback. During the beta process, Microsoft hopes to |
| garner significant input from developers and IT professionals that will be |
| incorporated into and improve the final product. |
|================================================= ==============|
What does this update package contain?

1.) It will contain all current publically available (Windows upadate) patches
and a load of other (not publicly available) updates.

2.) Changes to Functionality in Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Microsoft Document

3.) It will Contain Wi-Fi Client Side Updates (server side patches will be
included in Windows Server SP1).

4.) Changes to DCOM and the RPC interface will mean a greater restriction on
buffer overruns.

5.) It will disable messenger service by default (Not to be confused with Windows
Messenger).

6.) It will contain a new version of ICF (Internet Connection Firewall, which will
be enabled by default). This new version will be able to control outgoing data
to the internet and not only incoming.

7.) 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 In this update package will also include pop up
add blocking and all the cumulative updates since SP1.

8.) Microsoft is to introduce hardware-linked security technology with Windows XP
Service Pack 2.

9.) SP2 will enable the automatic download and installation of critical security
hot-fixes, without user interaction.

10.) It will move the 'Set Program Access Defaults' Option to the start menu.

11.) SP2 Will NOT Contain Concurrent Sessions.

As always, WinBeta brings this release to you for your testing pleasures.
Install and enjoy!



<----------------------------- I N S T A L L N O T E S ---------------------------->

1.) Unpack.
2.) double click exe
3.) Install.
4.) Nothing
5.) Enjoy!

<------------------------ ENJOY ANOTHER FINE RELEASE BY WiNBETA --------------------->
| Always here from the beginning |
\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------/

Contact us at winbeta@winbeta.org
1 and 4 are always nice. But I highlighted the two that are most interesting for the future. What do you think?

Will you be installing Service Pack 2 when it comes "out"?

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 11 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Service Pak II (11 votes.)

Service Pak II (Choose 1)
* Yes, I'll be installing SP2. - 18% (2)
* No. I'll figure out something else that suits me. - 82% (9)

9.) is only going to do the world a favour, since it'll drastically lower the number of vulnerable XP machines used as zombies. Still, it better be switchable on/off for those of us who want to have complete control over our OS.

8.) is too vague to understand from that one line. Can you provide some more details on what exactly that's supposed to mean? XP already has hardware-linked security as far as I know.

Microsoft is to introduce hardware-linked security technology with Windows XP
Service Pack 2. No way, no chance. This technology has been critized heavily; so much that M$ had to change its name in one point (Palladium, IIRC).

What it does: hardware gets unique code, meaning that every machine can be identified simply by using this technology -on Internet, LAN, everywhere. Kiss goodbye to your privacy. :mad: It also means that hardware manufacturers have to implement M$ produced code to their own products.

Next, we will see a camera with a label: "Works only with Microsoft Windows." For me, it's either Win2k or Linux from now on.

After reading all that stuff I still stands by my opinion in two things:

1. I love my Win98

2. I don't get a crap in computer-talks and therefore the above topic didn't mean squat to me. :D

Virne, hence the reason why most people that know anything about computers go out and get third-party commercial software. It does every important thing advertised there better than anything Microsoft ever released, and doesn't have the problems that OEM software does.

Patches and Hotfixes are always good, but I am not sure if I want them downloading on thier own. I prefer to see what is installed so I know, and canwatch for conflicts, I will let SP2 be out a little while to see how it goes. Have always done that since NT SP5 came out. But normally you end up havng to install, for the next hotfixes to work

Is it free?

Of course, if you own WinXP.

Microsoft could at least let you choose which components to install... :nolike: