Date: April 6, 2005
Subject: Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Installation no longer optional

This purpose of this interim bulletin is to call your attention to the fact that on April 12, 2005, Microsoft will require all users of its Windows XP operating system to download and install Service Pack 2 if they have not already done so. Previously the installation of Service Pack 2 has been optional, this comment from the Microsoft website explains why this will no longer be the case:

“Because of...significant improvements, Microsoft views Windows XP SP2 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. Microsoft strongly urges customers with Windows XP and Windows XP Service Pack 1-based systems to update to Windows XP SP2 as soon as possible.”

As the installation of Service Pack 2 makes system-wide changes to Windows XP as it was originally installed it is very strongly recommended that you make a backup of critical files for all computers that have not already had Service Pack 2 installed.

To discover if a computer has had Service Pack 2 installed simply right-click on the MY COMPUTER icon on your desktop or in your Start Menu and left-click on the Properties sub-menu. The system version information will display "Service Pack 2" if Service Pack 2 has been installed.

The text below, taken from the ELM Bulletin of August 9, 2005, supplies some further detail:

"SP2 is a significant update which, being in the neighbourhood of 250Mb, is significantly larger than many other programs that may be installed on your systems and which necessitates a fairly complex and lengthy installation procedure. While Microsoft will be metering downloads from  the Windows update site to allow its servers to meet global demand and has added enhanced resume functionality into the update process it is still possible that internet and transmission problems may cause some minor problems.

 

Additionally, many of the core functions of Windows XP have been re-designed with greater security in mind. Microsoft has warned its users that some software may no longer be compatible with Windows XP due to these necessary changes.

 

The following quotation from Computerworld, in an internet review of SP2 states: "SP2 for Windows XP is more than the usual roll-up of bug fixes and updates. Microsoft has made something of a trade-off, focusing on security at the expense of compatibility. As a result, SP2 can render existing applications inoperable. Microsoft has urged developers and IT professionals to test the update." As a consequence you would be well advised to take the following precautions:

 

1/ Ensure that any system upon which SP2 will be installed has been backed up. At the very least confirm that critical documents on the system are duplicated elsewhere and installation media are available for any essential software installed on the system.

 

2/ If you have a large number of Windows XP based systems I suggest that you set up a test system with similar configuration to your typical office system, or designate an existing office system as a test system upon which you may install SP2 to confirm its suitability to your environment. Once SP2 has been successfully installed on this system and you have confirmed that your necessary applications continue to operate you may begin to install SP2 on your remaining office systems, evaluating its impact as you proceed."

If you encounter problems with various applications after the installation of Service Pack 2 (which will no longer be optional as of April 12, 2005) please contact us and we'll take care of it.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this or any other issue.

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