The OS will be sold through system builders and distributors and users will be able to get it pre-installed with a new system, said Marr. He also reported that users who like to build their own computers will be able to purchase the OS with some sort of hardware. It could even be a mere cable.

Flexbeta have got a link to the new theme for Windows XP called Royale.
Download link is here

Windows XP SP2 RC2 is now available for download from BetaPlace. The build number is 2149 and there is currently a network install only, no express. As usual, Beta testers can grab their copy at the Windows Beta Site here. Visit Flexbeta for a few screenshots.

WinBoard.org hat heute ein aktualisiertes Windows XP SP1 Updatepack herausgebracht. Es ist nur für die deutsche Version von Windows XP inkl. SP1. Es liegt als Update von v1.5, als auch als Vollversion bereit. Es dürften sich alle Updates in dem Packet befinden, sodass es das aktuellste Updatepack für Windows XP ist. Windows XP SP1 Updatepack 1.7 (Full): Link
Windows XP SP1 Updatepack 1.7 (Update von v1.5): Link
Windows XP SP1 Updatepack 1.7 Readme: Link

Sources close to Flexbeta.net have confirmed that the release date of three mayor Windows outbreaks - Windows XP 64 Bit Edition, Tablet PC 2004, which will feature a more natural pen computing experience and offer new capabilities for developers, and Windows XP SP2 are set to go RTM on the same date, June 23rd. Neowin has already confirmed the release date for Windows XP SP2, and also mentions how there is an expected RC2 of XP SP2 B4 RTM. Though we are aware that today is a traditional day to try and fool people, this is not an April fools joke.

Microsoft.com"Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides an enhanced security infrastructure that defends against viruses, worms, and hackers, along with increased manageability and control for IT professionals and an improved experience for users. To aid IT professionals in planning and testing for the deployment of Windows XP SP2, Microsoft is making available this preview, based on Release Candidate 1 (RC1) of the SP2. Additionally, we have established 11 newsgroups for sharing information."

Windows XP SP2 will include many security and performance enhancements developed since the October, 2001 release of Windows XP. In addition, Windows XP SP2 will contain new "security technologies" specifically designed to help you protect your computer from malicious attacks, including port-based and e-mail attacks, malicious Web content and buffer overrun based attacks.

Microsoft has released an AMD64 version of Windows XP

"Welcome! If you have a 64-bit ready PC, you now have the option to receive trial software for Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems via CD or download. Read below about the different options for obtaining the pre-release software, and then use the links on the right to register to order the CD Kit or download product files. Please note that in either case, the pre-release software is time-limited and will expire in 360 days

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition is designed to address the most demanding needs of technical workstation users who require large amounts of memory and floating point performance in areas such as mechanical design and analysis, digital content creation and scientific and high-performance computing applications."

 Microsoft today informed all Windows XP SP2 beta testers about the availablity of Beta 1 of Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Windows XP.

Although the beta was already made avaliable yesterday but many users were experiencing difficulties in accessing Download area at WindowsBeta. According to the Microsoft representative, all major issues identified by the users have been resolved. So if you haven't grabbed your copy of beta-1, you can get it right now.

Click Read More...

Microsoft is reported by Infoworld.com to start the first beta-test of updates( likely ServicePack2 upgrade) for Windows XP . Along with providing massive sevurity updates , there is also going to be added support for 1.1 version of bluetooth and a added new wireless lan client. Some of the Important features (which are present in Windows XP ) reported to be modified are : - Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) will be "On" by default. Windows Messenger Service will be turned off. RPC and DCOM will be improved. IE will be upgraded with Pop-Blocker. Outlook Express will no longer download attachments(externel content) by default. The Service pack may be released in First quarter of 2004 or maybe MS will surprise us and gives us a new year gift. Read more for my Wish-List.

the q824145 critical update for IE6 Sp1 browser messes with scrolling... so until MS finds a fix for the fix dont update this critical update. Some interesting discussions can be read at www.groups.google.com on the Update mess .

From MS KB 826939 SUMMARY:- Microsoft has released Update Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows XP. An update rollup is a cumulative set of hotfixes, security patches, critical updates, and updates that are packaged together for easy deployment. Update Rollup 1 for Windows XP is a single package that includes many previously released critical updates for Windows XP.

Multiple PC's across the NTL cable network (and possibly others) are being remotely shutdown by an RPC (Remote procedure call) exploit. A dialog box will pop up instructing the user that the system will shutdown in 60 seconds. Read More for more informations and a hotfix, german visitors click here

Das erweiterte Netzwerkpaket für Windows XP wird als Update für Window XP SP1 empfohlen. Es enthält eine neue Version des IPv6-Stapels, einen IPv6-Firewall und eine Peer-to-Peer-Infrastruktur.

You can download the Microsoft Windows XP Peer-to-Peer Software Development Kit (SDK), which contains all software required to create decentralized applications that harness the collective power of edge of the network PCs.

Today the Redmond, WA based software giant Microsoft has released two new security updates for Windows XP. While the first bulletin released (Unchecked Buffer in Windows Shell Could Enable System Compromise) is rated important, the second bulletin (Buffer Overrun In RPC Interface Could Allow Code Execution) was rated critical by Microsoft. You can find these patches in our "Windows XP Post SP1 Updates" article on page 2 and 3.

So a friend of mine and MS software engineer Olcay from Olcay-its.de did it again. This was the guy that found the hidden secrets on the "new icon hotfix" for XP discussed here.

Read more...

The new fix from MS for Windows XP seems to hide more then we thought it would do...

This update adds a new icon for the "Set Program Access and Defaults" feature to the second column of the Start menu. It also adds a Help button and help content. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. View more details and download

An identified security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows XP could allow an attacker to take control of the computer. This issue is most likely to affect computers used as Web servers. You can help protect your computer from this and other identified issues by installing this update from Microsoft. Read more...