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I've read several reports about WinXP SP2, and my interpretation is a little different. I don't think it involves any new code but simply that the Automatic Update Service, which is already a part of XP, will be set for scheduled updates as its default. In previous versions, it was not even on by default, and the administrator had to turn it on to one of three levels (check for updates but don't download, download and notify, or scheduled updates). It makes sense that if Microsoft sets the third option as the default, their legal department would make the user agree to allow updates. I don't think they're going to remove our ability to choose the other kinds of updates or to turn it off entirely. Again, that's my reading of the news reports I've seen on SP2, and I would add that the reports have been pretty unclear on this point. As you say, we'll see. (You may have seen that they released official info on Windows Update Services 2.0, the successor to SUS, yesterday. It wouldn't make much sense for them to put work into this service if they were going to have all future XP machines unconditionally update themselves automatically from Microsoft anyway.) At 01:33 PM 3/16/2004, Margaret Wilson wrote: >I've read that WinXP SP2 includes code that will allow Microsoft to >automatically apply patches to machines with this service pack installed. >(It also includes licensing language that by installing the service pack, >users give Microsoft permission to automatically install patches.) IMO, >installing this service pack will be a disaster, particularly in a business >setting such as MSU. Those of us who support machines need control over >what patches are installed and when. I won't be installing this SP2 on my >home machines, either. > >Now all this said, I can't believe Microsoft will actually release a service >pack that installs code to automatically install all future patches. But >we'll see.... > >Margaret >-- >Margaret Wilson, MCSE >Health Information Technology >Michigan State University >517.355.6531 > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Rich Tibbals" <[log in to unmask]> >To: <[log in to unmask]> >Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 1:22 PM >Subject: [MSUNAG] Windows XP SP2 > > >> I am soliciting comment on the potential impact on legacy desktop >> applications as the result of an update to XP Service Pack 2. Microsoft >has >> allegedly notified developers to thoroughly >> test their applications with the latest beta of SP2 to make sure they >still >> run. (reported in Computerworld this week) >> >> I'll hang-up and listen... >> >> Rich >> -- >> Richard C. Tibbals >> CAS Information Technology Manager >> >> Michigan State University >> 287 Communication Arts and Sciences Building >> East Lansing, Mi 48824-1212 >> >> Voice 517.432.5674 >> Fax 517.432.1244 >> >> WWW.infotech.cas.msu.edu >> >> --Chris ============================================== Chris Wolf Computer Service Manager Agricultural Economics [log in to unmask] Michigan State University 517 353-5017