Statement of Support for Microsoft Windows XP SP2
Summary
ITS will support the Microsoft deployment of Windows XP Service Pack 2. We strongly encourage Windows XP Service Pack 2 be installed in a timely manner on campus computers. We have already tested the most commonly used applications and have found minimal problems. However, we are aware that installing Service Pack 2 with its enhanced security features will cause some applications to have problems and are devoted to working with the Campus IT units to solve issues as they arise.
Details
On Friday August 6, 2004 Microsoft completed their work on Windows XP Service Pack 2. Windows XP Service Pack 2 contains major security improvements designed to provide better protection against hackers, viruses, and worms. Windows XP Service Pack 2 also improves the manageability of the security features in Windows XP and provides more and better information to help users make decisions that may potentially affect their security and privacy.
On Monday, August 9, 2004, the full network installation package for Windows XP Service Pack 2 was posted on the Windows XP Service Pack 2 site. On-line distribution will be the primary distribution vehicle for Windows XP Service Pack 2 and below is a summary of the key milestones of the distribution plan:
| 8/6 | Release to manufacturing |
| 8/9 | Release to Microsoft Download Center (full network installation package) Release to MSDN subscription site (CD ISO image) |
| 8/10 | Release to Automatic Update (for machines running pre-release versions of Windows XP SP2 only) |
| 8/16 | Release to Software Update Services |
| 8/18 | Release to Automatic Update for users running Windows XP Home Edition only |
| 8/25 | Release to Automatic Update for all Windows XP users including those running Windows XP Professional Edition |
Because of the significant security improvements outlined above, Microsoft views Windows XP Service Pack 2 as an essential security update and is therefore distributing it as a “critical update” via Windows Update (WU) and the Automatic Updates (AU) delivery mechanism in Windows. Most users will receive Microsoft XP Service Pack 2 update in this manner. Microsoft is strongly urging customers with Windows XP and Windows XP Service Pack 1-based systems to upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 as soon as possible.
Considering Microsoft’s history of building subsequent patches on Services Packs, it is important to keep up to date. Since Microsoft has listed this Service Pack as critical, ITS is recommending that all users apply the service pack through their normal install methods.Resources
Additional information and support can be found at: http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu/sp2.
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