Windows XP
Service Pack 1 / 1a
Article Published By Marc Liron -
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Service Pack 1
This article was written and updated in
October 2003.
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Windows XP SP 1 (XP SP1) is Microsoft's first
major update to its latest operating system - Windows XP. This
service pack covers both the Home and Professional editions, and is
available as a Download or on CD Rom.
Organisations that wish to deploy this service
pack can do so over their networks using the network installation
tools provided by Microsoft.
More information on the download and
installation of the Windows XP service pack 1 is available at the
end of this article.
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This service pack contains all the security
patches and fixes for Windows XP, at the time of its release (9th
September 2002), as well as some other very important components
like support for USB 2.0 and anti piracy measures. The aim of this
article is to cover the contents of this service pack for XP.
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### IMPORTANT UPDATE - 3rd February 2003 ###
Microsoft have now released Windows XP Service Pack 1a... This was
silently released by Microsoft on the 3rd February 2003 in response
to the US District Court of Baltimore's preliminary injunction
requiring Microsoft to include the latest Java Runtime Environment
(JRE) from Sun Microsystems in current and future versions of
Microsoft Windows XP. However 1a does NOT include Sun Microsystems
JRE, this is scheduled for Windows XP Service pack 1b !!! CONFUSED?
Then PLEASE READ the end of this article for MORE important
information...
One word of "comfort" from Microsoft is that if you already have the
Windows XP Service Pack 1 installed on your system, then there is no
reason to install Windows XP Service Pack 1a...
Why Install Windows XP Service Pack 1
A good question. Six months after the release of Windows XP the
operating system had sold around 32 million retail and OEM copies.
This makes it the fastest selling Windows version ever. At the
launch of Windows XP it had three times more support for
devices/hardware than Windows 98 and that tripled to over 13,000
over the first six months of its release.
Windows XP greatly improves the end users experience of a desktop
operating system by improving the use of digital media, modern
communications and home networking. All this makes Windows XP a very
popular operating system with users and manufacturers alike. By
installing the new Windows XP service pack 1, with all its important
updates, Microsoft are building on XP's success.
If you decide NOT to install the Windows XP Service Pack 1 update
then you MUST read the end of this article for important information
regarding some security flaws in Windows XP that MUST be plugged.
Microsoft On Windows XP Service Pack 1
In the words of Jim Allchin, Group Vice president for the platforms
products group at Microsoft:
"Microsoft is always focused on improving the reliability and
security of Windows for our customers, and Windows XP service pack 1
is the latest delivery on our commitment to those customers...
Windows XP is the most secure and dependable operating system we
have ever produced, but our work doesn't end when we ship a product.
Windows XP service pack1, along with services such as Windows
Update, are examples of how we can help customers keep their PC's
updated with the latest and greatest technology."
Remember this is Microsoft's opinion, not mine!
Enhancing XP Security
In February and March 2002, Microsoft underwent an extensive review
of its current operating systems software. This in depth review of
its core code and internal procedures at Microsoft is now known as
the "Trustworthy Computing Initiative." Basically poor emphasis on
security within it's software had lead to a growing lack of
confidence in Microsoft's core products so this intensive initiative
was Microsoft's attempt to address the issues.
Windows XP service pack 1 contains all the critical updates to XP
that were highlighted during the review of its code and practices.
Fortunately for the end user the next desktop operating system, due
in 2005, will not be a "patched up" super charged XP. But a new
operating system based on new secure code. This is a big step for
Microsoft, but a welcome one for the rest of us! Perhaps the days of
regular security patches will be over? Lets hope so...
US Consent Decree Compliance
You can NOT have failed to heard of Microsoft's trouble with the US
courts during 2001, 2002 and 2003. Essentially a group of US states
got together and complained in court that it was unfair that
Microsoft should have such a monopoly on software and not allow
choice for the consumer. Well the judge agreed and one of his many
judgements was that Microsoft should do something about this in the
first service pack for Windows XP. Now the whole issue with the
courts is still dragging on and is much more complicated than we
have time to explain in this article.
However the part of the legal judgement against Microsoft that is
relevant to Windows XP service pack 1 is called the "Set Programs
Access and Defaults Panel." This mechanism that Microsoft was forced
to apply to Windows XP (and Windows 2000 in its service pack 3), is
the ability to choose which non operating system software you want
to use as the customer and not always be stuck with the Microsoft
option. Also, if you choose to remove the Microsoft option then the
relevant icons MUST be removed from the desktop and programs menu.
The Microsoft software involved is: Internet Explorer, Outlook
Express, Windows Internet Messenger, Microsoft Java VM, and Windows
Media Player. But Microsoft have also been forced to include this
option for ALL other third parties offering this type of software
for Windows XP. For example under this new control panel you can
select Real Player as your default media player and XP will then
remove desktop and other shortcut location links to its own media
player. At the time of shipping Windows XP service pack 1 there were
no third party options available for this new feature, however
expect to see these appearing soon as you upgrade various third
party software on your XP system.
Messenger For XP
Windows XP service pack 1 also includes an update to the extremely
popular Windows Messenger client. However the version 4.7 that ships
with this service pack has been updated since its release and
version 5.0 is now available as a download via the Microsoft main
website.
New Capabilities
One of the most disappointing things about Windows XP when it first
shipped was its lack of support for the new USB 2.0 standard. Given
that this update to USB 1.1 allows data transfer rates that make
working with very large files so much easier, many folks were not
happy with Microsoft. Now by installing the Windows XP service pack
1 Microsoft now support USB 2.0 on XP.
At the same time as Microsoft have released USB 2.0 support we are
now seeing many USB 2.0 devices becoming available to the end user.
Such devices as External HDD's, Scanners and DVD writers now come
with USB 2.0 support. Interestingly USB 2.0 is now starting to
appear on a limited amount of camcorders too, however I do not think
that it will replace the firmly established FireWire (IEEE 1394)
standard seen on so many semi-professional models.
Windows XP Service Pack 1 does NOT include support for Bluetooth
technologies.....
New Technologies
Three new Microsoft technologies will ALL require the Windows XP
service pack 1. These are MIRA, Freestyle and the Tablet PC. These
new technologies use XP as there operating system but are beyond the
scope of this article. More information can be obtained from the
main Microsoft website.
.NET Framework
Microsoft has a vision for the future of computing services and this
is called .NET In the next desktop operating system the .NET
framework will be fully integrated into its code. However if you
need the .NET framework now then there is an optional component with
Windows XP service pack 1 that you can install. Since the release of
the service pack option there is also an update available to the
.NET frame work once you have installed the original files. Check
windows update service for more details after installation of the
.NET framework as I found a large update awaiting AFTER I installed
the original .NET support software!
Change To Product Activation
Most retail and OEM users of Windows XP have encountered at some
stage Microsoft's Windows Product Activation (WPA) technology. In
Windows XP service pack 1 there are three minor changes made to WPA.
NONE of them will effect legitimate licensed users of Windows XP.
The changes are:
1) If a pirated installation of Windows XP is on the end users
machine then it probably has one of the following product codes
according to Microsoft.
xxxxx-640-0000356-23xxx
xxxxx-640-2001765-23xxx
If this is the case then the Windows XP service pack will NOT
install. Instead it will give you an error message asking you to
contact Microsoft's Anti Piracy unit!
2) Access to the Windows Update site is restricted to valid licence
holders ONLY. If you try to access the site your product ID is
checked against ALL the possible VALID product ID's. If your is
based on a pirate XP key then you will NOT gain access to the site.
3) Corporate users of Windows XP now have the ability to encrypt
unattended setups of Windows XP. So no more plain text files reveal
your product licence! as an IT manager I welcome this feature with
open arms...
With these changes Microsoft are really trying to limit the spread
of pirated licences of Windows XP. However, it is always a "Cat and
Mouse" affair with the "Pirates" constantly finding ways to
circumnavigate Microsoft's anti-piracy measures...
Internet Explorer Update
The final component of the Windows XP service pack 1 is the release
of the first service pack for version 6 of Microsoft's web browser -
Internet Explorer. In my opinion the IE 6.0 SP1 is an essential
update. It is also required if you are going to try and install the
monthly cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer 6.0
If you try and install a cumulative update from December 2002 and
you have NOT installed IE 6.0 SP1 then you will get an error message
asking you to install IE 6.0 SP1 first!
Conclusion (updated 3rd Feb 2003)
I have personally received horror stories from friends and fellow IT
professionals who have had their Windows XP systems badly damaged by
the installation of Windows XP Service Pack 1.
Some of these users report that one system upgrades without trouble,
whereas another is rendered nearly useless after the installation of
SP1. So I want to be clear that I am neither recommending nor
advising against the installation of Windows XP Service Pack 1. The
purpose of this article is to make sure you are informed in your
decision as a consumer!
I personally have installed it on many DELL machines and NOT had any
problems...
Well if it was not confusing enough for folks on whether to install
Windows XP Service Pack 1, the waters just got muddier on this issue
with the recent US court decision against Microsoft concerning the
Java Runtime Environment (JRE) from Sun Microsystems.
Essentially the reason we had a Windows XP Service Pack 1 so early
was because a US court forced Microsoft to implement a mechanism for
removing the default Microsoft choices on XP. eg Windows Media
Player instead of a competitors software like Real Player. Now a US
court has forced Microsoft to ship a rivals Java Runtime software in
XP, eg Sun Microsystems software. This has now necessitated an
update to the original service pack.
As you can imagine Microsoft are NOT happy about this state of
affairs.... For more information on this refer to
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/news/jre.asp
Microsoft have also released a support article on the differences
between Windows Service Pack 1 and 1a, it can be found at
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=813926
This new version called Windows XP Service Pack 1a is identical to
Windows XP Service Pack 1 that it replaces, with the exception that
the Microsoft VM software will no longer be present.
Microsoft will then include Sun's JRE in Windows XP starting with
Service Pack 1b in early June 2003. Windows XP Service Pack 1b will
be identical to the original Windows XP Service Pack 1 with the only
changes being the removal of the Microsoft VM and addition of Sun's
JRE.
Microsoft will release a full media version of Windows XP Service
Pack 1b in addition to the Service Pack 1b Upgrade.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 will be released later in 2003, and will
be a conventional service pack with a variety of engineering fixes
to increase the security and reliability of the operating system.
Windows XP SP2 will include Sun’s JRE in order to comply with the
order.
Lets just hope that the courts don't reverse their decision!
But what if you do not want to install ANY Windows Service Pack 1
yet?
Well you do not have to of course, but this article does outline the
potential benefits of doing so. However Windows XP has 2 x SERIOUS
flaws in its security that MUST be patched. There is NO compromise
on this in my opinion. One problem lies in an insecure file that
allows someone to delete files off YOUR machine - if you happen to
end up on one of their websites. (Yes people really do this sort of
thing!). The other is in the way the Universal Plug and Play feature
works on XP.
Check out Microsoft's support articles on these critical security
issues:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-060.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/ms01-059.asp
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Marc Liron -
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