HelpWithWindows Newsletter

01. Microsoft Releases SP2 for Windows Server 2003

by Arie Slob

Hello Windows users,

Early last week, Microsoft released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Server 2003. This service pack can be applied to a wide range of Windows Server 2003 products, including all versions of Windows Server 2003, all versions of Windows Server 2003 Release 2 (R2), Windows Storage Server 2003 R2, Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003, Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems, and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

In addition to bug fixes and security updates, SP2 includes Windows Deployment Services for rolling out Windows Vista. In fact, WDS will be required to support the deployment of Windows Vista and Windows Server code-name "Longhorn." Also included in SP2 are improved networking features from the Windows Server 2003 Scalable Networking Pack, improved IPsec management tools, and Wireless Protected Access 2 (WPA2) for increased wireless security. Like other service packs, SP2 is cumulative, so it includes all the features and updates from Windows Server 2003 SP1.

SP2 should be easier to deploy then SP1 however. SP1 was a major release which addressed known vulnerabilities to Windows Server 2003 by tightening the authorization needed for some services and disabling others all together. In some cases these security enhancements resulted in unexpected behavior from applications.

Localized versions are available for Windows 2003 and x64: German, French, Korean, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified, Spanish, Italian, Russian and, Portuguese (Brazilian). Windows XP Professional x64 Edition will continue to be supported in only English and Japanese.

If you wonder why a Service Pack for Windows Server 2003 would support Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, note that both Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and the Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions where introduced with the release of Windows Server 2003 SP1, all sharing a common codebase. It is this common codebase that allows SP2 to provide updates to all versions of Windows Server 2003 and the Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

02. Recommended Book: Windows Vista Inside Out

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03. Keep your Computer free from Viruses, Trojans, Spyware and other Malware

Surfing the Internet these days is a hazardous occupation, but a few simple precautions will keep your computer free from infection in an increasingly hostile environment.

Use the suggestions outlined in the article to ensure maximum security for your computer at minimum cost. Although the article is written based on Windows XP the basic principles apply to other Windows operating system versions too.

HelpWithWindows TechFile.

04. Recent Support BBS Postings

Workaround for lack of DVD support in Vista Business/Basic - Windows Vista
Start > Programs - What's an easy way to trim the list? - Windows XP
SBS 2003 Time Sync - Windows Server System
Visited Links Not Changing Color - Internet Explorer
What's your favorite virus/spyware scanner? - General Security
New Microsoft Knowledge Base Articles

05. How to use Windows Easy Transfer Companion to transfer programs from Windows XP with Service Pack 2 to Windows Vista

This Microsoft TechNet Article describes how to use Windows Easy Transfer Companion - a program that you can use to help transfer programs from a computer that is running Windows XP SP2 to a computer that is running Windows Vista.

Microsoft TechNet Article

06. Latest Microsoft & Windows News from around the Internet

Latest Microsoft & Windows News from around the Internet

07. Toolkit to Temporarily Block Delivery of Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

A blocking tool is available if you or your organization have Automatic Updates (AU) enabled on your servers to ensure prompt delivery of critical updates, but would like to temporarily disable delivery of the Windows Server 2003 SP2 automatic update through AU that is set to take place starting June 12, 2007. The blocking tool will also prevent the Windows Server 2003 SP2 from being offered through Windows Update and Microsoft Update.

More Information & Download

08. No security updates released March 13, 2007

Although Microsoft is currently investigating almost a dozen vulnerabilities in various products, they didn't issue any patches on the regularly scheduled monthly patch day, March 13, which is the first time this has happened since September 2005.