"Service Pack 2 is a significant step in delivering on our goal to help customers make their Pcs better isolated and more resilient in the face of increasingly sophisticated attacks," said Ricardo Cabrera, Security Specialist at Microsoft.  "It is the result of sustained investments in innovation and extensive industry collaboration.  It also reflects a broad recognition that as the security environment changes, the industry needs to work together to respond."

During the course of the worldwide rollout of Service Pack 2 which began in August, Microsoft will localize the software in 25 languages and distribute it to computer manufacturers, enterprise customers and consumers through downloads, retail installation, free Cds and on new Pcs.  The easiest way for current Windows XP users to ensure they receive Service Pack 2 when it releases in their language is to simply turn on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP.  Customers with Automatic Updates enabled will receive the latest security updates for Windows XP, along with updated installation software that will optimize the download experience of Service Pack 2 and all future updates to Windows XP.

The timing for customers to receive the Service Pack 2 download through Automatic Updates depends on a number of factors, including the customer's Internet usage, location, language and the level of Internet demand for Service Pack 2.  Automatic Updates uses spare Internet capacity to progressively download updates without interfering with daily PC use.  Microsoft expects to distribute Service Pack 2 to approximately 100 million Pcs through Automatic Updates over the next two months.  Automatic Updates is easy to turn on in Windows XP, and details are available at http://www.microsoft.com/protect/.

Customers without reliable Internet connections who wish to obtain Service Pack 2 on CD can order a free disc from the Microsoft® Web site as Service Pack 2 is rolled out worldwide.  Microsoft also is working with computer manufacturers to ensure they can make Windows XP-based Pcs preloaded with Service Pack 2 available as soon as possible.

Businesses of all sizes should be evaluating Service Pack 2 now, if they have not begun doing so already.  Business customers using Windows XP should deploy the service pack on their most important systems, especially notebooks and computers for home workers, as soon as is practical.

"With the proliferation of viruses and other broad threats on business and consumer desktops, I can think of no higher priority than trying to ensure the security of personal computers," said Cabrera.  "Whether the customer is a large enterprise, a small business or an individual, Windows XP Service Pack 2 is critical because it addresses today's exposures in a comprehensive fashion.  For anyone currently using Windows XP, my advice is to apply it at your earliest opportunity."

Service Pack 2 Provides Proactive Protection for Windows XP Customers

Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies was designed by Microsoft explicitly to provide proactive protection for Windows XP. The updates and enhancements in Service Pack 2 focus on three main areas:
• Stronger security settings. Service Pack 2 establishes stronger default security settings and includes updates with new features and tools designed to help customers better defend their systems and information from hackers, viruses and other security threats. This means safer browsing and communications for consumers plus an improved security infrastructure for businesses.
• Increased manageability and control. Service Pack 2 makes it easier to configure and manage security resources with new functionality, more accessible and intuitive security tools, and the new Windows Security Center.
• Improved and more-secure experiences. Service Pack 2 includes updates for key drivers, updated support for new technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® — especially around security — and security updates for other key features, all of which provide a safer end-user experience and thus enable more productive and enjoyable computing.