Microsoft continually works to improve its software. As part of this effort, we develop updates and fixes to recognized issues and release them for use by customers. On a regular basis, we combine many of these fixes into a single package and make the package available for customers to install on their computers. These packages are called Service Packs.

  Available soon, SP2 will bring users the latest security updates and innovations from Microsoft. It will establish stronger security settings that help defend against viruses, hackers, and worms and will provide unique new security features designed to make it easier for you to protect your PC.

  The best way to ensure you get SP2 when it is released is by turning on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP. Visit the Protect Your PC site to let it turn it on for you or follow these manual steps—either way you'll get SP2 automatically as Microsoft releases it.

  Turning on Automatic Updates today allows your PC to begin downloading important updates automatically, including the latest version of Windows Update. It also ensures you will receive future updates, such as SP2.

  Learn about the new features like pop up blocker, enhanced firewall protection.Read more about it here.

  Learn about the key features included in Service Pack 2, and how each works to help you proactively improve the protection of your PC and personal information.Read more about it here.

  Did you know that SP2 was build with security as the top priority? It is not just the fixing of existing bugs like other product Service Packs but something incredible like raising the level of security and building in a lot of features. Computers are becoming remarkably capable and advanced. Trouble is, so are the hackers, viruses, and worms that threaten them. That's why Microsoft has made security a top priority, and is helping users like you take a proactive approach to protecting your PC, information, and privacy.Read more about it here.

  Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) with Advanced Security Technologies provides users with an enhanced security infrastructure to help defend against viruses, worms, and hackers. In addition, it helps provide increased manageability and control along with an improved, more consistent user experience.

  Following are brief descriptions of some of the most significant changes and enhancements in SP2.Read more about it here.

  The security features and innovations in Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) with Advanced Security Technologies are all about helping users like you take a proactive approach to improving the protection of your computer, your information, and your privacy. These security improvements extend to Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, and give you new, easier ways to better protect your computer while you browse or use e-mail.Read more about it here.

  Wondering why you've been asked to upgrade to the next version of Microsoft Windows Update? It's simple changes to the Web site's technology offer faster and better ways to get the updates that your PC needs. More in-depth information helps you choose and manage updates that you install. And you can get more help and troubleshooting support for keeping your PCs and networks secured and up to date.Read more about it here.

  If you're unfamiliar with installing software, it's important to know what to expect and what steps you can take to prevent problems or solve them later. This information can help you successfully download and install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) on a single computer.Read more about it here.

  If you have more than one computer connected at home, then you have a home network. Home networks make it easier to share Internet access, files, printers, and more. Unfortunately, networks also make it easier for hackers, viruses, and worms to intrude on your privacy. Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) contains a number of improvements that help protect your security, especially on a home network. Read on to find out more about how your new or existing home network will be protected.Read more about it here.

  Read about changes to functionality in Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. Network protection, memory protection, safer e-mail handling, more secure browsing, and improved computer maintenance are among the topics in this technical overview on TechNet. Read more about it here.

   With Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Microsoft is introducing a set of security technologies that will help improve Windows XP-based computers' ability to withstand malicious attacks from viruses and worms.These technologies include:

  Together, these security technologies will help make it more difficult to attack Windows XP, even if the latest patches or updates aren't applied. These security technologies together are particularly useful mitigation against worms and viruses. To developers these technologies will have impacts on the applications that they create and the tools they use. This page contains resources to assist developers in dealing with these impacts. Read more about it here.