Windows XP SP2 FINAL is out!

[jko]

I'm sure most of you have heard about Windows XP's Service Pack 2 (SP2). But, maybe you didn't know about its importance and how it's not just another SP from MS.

MSFT is revamping XP's architecture, security wise, and functionality wise. MSFT is making spyware, viruses and hacking harder, which is good. There are way too much features to list here, but I will provide you with some links to documents MSFT has released.

I have been running SP2 RC2 on my machine at work and home for the past 2 months and has been extremley stable. Although I had some issues in earlier builds (I have to reformat

).

Here are the very basic editions / enhancements in SP2:

• Network protection
• Memory protection
• Safer e-mail handling
• Enhanced browsing security
• Improved computer maintenance

The features that most Home based users will see is the enhanced "Windows Firewall" that is a lot more customizable and is enabled by default. Bluetooth has built in support as well as enhanced wireless support.

Internet Explorer has been improved too. It finally has a built-in pop-up stopper which works very well. It also has a feature that blocks certain ActiveX controls and other programs from installing them selves to your browser. I am still testing this to see how well it works. MSFT has said that they will not be releasing anymore standalone versions of IE, you will have to upgrade to the latest OS to take advantages of the integrated IE. I have read on other forums that it's speculated, that in Longhorn, IE 7 will have tabbed browsing- if this is true, it would be GREAT. It's also speculated that IE 7 will finally support PNG and be up to par on CSS standards.

I am enjoying playing with the new options in SP2 on my machine. The new GPO options are nice, although there are not that many and you can only really take advantage of them on a 2003 Server, which is fine since I have one.

Download Windows XP Service Pack 2 (network install)

This info and more can be found @ Binary Dreams (do a Google search for the site)

 

[SirKenin]

Yeah, I'm grabbing that right now. At 315Kb/s I should have it in a couple of minutes.

I've had RC2 on here for what seems like forever. It's been very good, so I have no qualms about installing the final.

 

[Unimatrix]

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[pgp_protector]

Just finished Downloading it, now to decide if I want to risk installing it

 

[jko]

Just finished Downloading it, now to decide if I want to risk installing it

Don't worry, you should have no problems with it.

 

[pgp_protector]

Should And Wont are 2 diffrent things

I Have a few programs that Cant afford to break, and there not everyday programs.

 

[Unimatrix]

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[revolutio]

Getting a new rig in about a week so I have nothing to lose. I am downloading this thing now. Are there any stress tests you guys want me to run it through?

 

[Unimatrix]

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[rdale]

I heard from somewhere that SP2 does not get along with Symantec NAV and Zone Alarm. Can someone who has both of these apps confirm or refute this please.

Thanks...

 

[SirKenin]

I have NAV and there is no problems. I just installed the final. I have had RC2 installed for a long time.

 

[rdale]

I have NAV and there is no problems. I just installed the final. I have had RC2 installed for a long time.

thanks drfeelgood,
Guess I'm not toooo eager to be the guinea pig, I've heard it recommended to wait awhile in the past, until the dust settles. If there's no issues with Zone Alarm, think I'll give it a go...

 

[SirKenin]

Yeah, no problem You won't need ZA though. SP2 has a firewall built in that is just as good as ZA, if not tighter, so you shouldn't have any security issues if you decide to run without ZA.. However, it's up to you if you want to stick with what you're familiar with or not. You can always disable SP2's firewall.

 

[jko]

I heard from somewhere that SP2 does not get along with Symantec NAV and Zone Alarm. Can someone who has both of these apps confirm or refute this please.

Thanks...

I was a beta tester and NAV has never had a problem running with SP RC versions and none with the final version.

 

[pgp_protector]

Well so far so good

SP2 Installed, and the Main programs I MUST run still work

 

[SirKenin]

Well so far so good

SP2 Installed, and the Main programs I MUST run still work

Yeah, it's fine. Much paranoia about nothing I like it actually. No hassles at all.

 

[Heathen Dawn]

I like to shave on other people’s beards first.

 

[Unimatrix]

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[Heathen Dawn]

Lost in the translation, most probably. In Hebrew the idiom “to shave on someone else’s beard” means to learn from the experiences of others, to let the others do the testing before you try it out yourself.

My apology for the misunderstanding.

 

[Ave Maria]

That's weird. I just checked Windows Update this morning and didn't find it. I guess you have to get it some other way. Thanks for letting us know!