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Network Version of XP SP2 Available for Download

Microsoft this week publicly posted the network installation version of Windows XP Service Pack 2, making the critical service pack available for IT administrators to download and begin rolling out.

Prior to posting the network installation package, Microsoft had only given the gold code version of the service pack to MSDN members and participants in the SP2 technical review process.

The 272-MB installation package posted on the Microsoft Download Center is intended for administrators who plan to install the service pack to several computers on a network. It can be found here.

Microsoft encourages customers looking to upgrade individual PCs to continue to wait until the downloads begin through Automatic Update. Users wanting to make sure that Automatic Update is configured properly to download the service pack should visit www.microsoft.com/protect.

Windows XP SP2 was released to manufacturing on Friday, about two years after Service Pack 1. In addition to security updates and bug fixes, the service pack includes important new security features including an overhauled, on-by-default personal firewall, a security dashboard, support for security measures in processor hardware and pop-up and download blocking in Internet Explorer.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.