Full Review

If you are updating from Windows 98 or purchasing a new computer these first paragraphs will contain vital information. Those already familiar with XP but unable to download updates may consider scrolling down to the "Improvements in this Version" heading."

Upgrading From Earlier Versions

If your computer runs at a speed of less than 200 MHz do not attempt to install this program. You will also need around 2 GB of hard drive space depending on the installation options chosen. The box indicates that as little as 64MB of memory will support an install. However my minimum recommendation for memory is 256MB. If you do not meet these specs you money is better spent on a new computer that already has XP installed.

You will also need a CD ROM installed. If you have a laptop with no floppy drive use extra caution when updating. In some cases the boot CD will not be recognized which can leave you in a very bad place. There are some workarounds for this such as copying the entire disk to the hard drive prior to installation. Also laptop users should make sure they are using an AC power cord as you never want an interruption of the install process.

The system should be clean of any virus and spy-ware. If your system is very unstable consider a clean install of your previous OS before attempting to install XP. Some features may require a connection to the Internet and you will be required to activate this product within 30 days or it will stop working. The activation can be done via phone if you do not have Internet access.

Some Key Features of XP

This copy of windows has a very good Network connection wizard. It can help you connect to the Internet or create a network to share the devices and computers in your home.

There is a highly rated Media Player that will compile play-list of your videos, songs, and other digital media. Most users prefer to use a third party media player but you can get good results with this program as well. Microsoft is getting better about the security exploits in this program and one large advantage of using the default player is the future upgrades and patches that Microsoft will provide. You can burn CD's here if you have the writer installed on your computer, or just drag your files to the CD writer icon.

Windows Messenger is also provided which will allow you to share applications, video conference, and do instant messaging. Many users prefer YAHOO instant messenger however it can cause system crashes currently having some unresolved bugs with Microsoft.

Help & Support Center will help you recover from some common system problems and provides a quick way to access Windows Updates if they are not set to download automatically.

There are also a few other improvements such as support for wireless connections and advanced laptop support. The power management works well and does not cause system hangs.

Basic Programs & Features

Internet Explorer 6 is provided with this version of Windows. It is a solid browser that will protect your privacy and by far is the industry standard. There are also some Internet based games such as Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers, Internet Hearts, Internet Reversi, and Internet Spades provided. You can play against other users online or invite your friends to a game.

Automatic Program Recognition is provided as well. This means if you insert a CD into your reader the computer will attempt to locate the install , setup, or executable files and start them up automatically. If the CD should contain media a wizard will appear allowing you to print , copy, or e-mail the pictures. The My Pictures wizard is especially helpful allowing you to make different photo proof sheets and print a variety of standard output sizes without complicated photo editing. This program lets you order prints over the Internet, makes it easy to view your pictures, and will compress & optimize on demand.

System Tools lets you easily maintain you computer and remove file fragments and junk files. Computers are very lazy secretaries storing files in no particular order and often "tearing" them apart. These agents will organize you computer to run faster and reconnect the file fragments so your programs work smoothly.

The Start Menu is your portal to access all the files, folders, and programs on your computer. A neat improvement in this version is the ability to quickly access your frequently used programs and vital folders.

Windows Movie Maker is a handy desktop video producer that can produce a very high quality product with good keyframe editing and smooth transitions between clips or pictures. The interface is easy to use and most functions can be completed using only the mouse and drop & drag.

System Restore will allow you to easily fix some common problems that arise when using your computer. One of the most helpful features is the ability to "Roll Back" drivers to earlier versions should you have a device error. If you computer will not restart there is an option to load your last know good configuration. The system restore program will monitor your system changes and assist you in reverting back if something does not work.

You will also find a basic word processor and many other helpful tools in this version. The transition from a Macintosh or an older version of Windows is made easy with many ways to open/close programs and different ways to configure your desktop so that swap-over is not so extreme. The Firewall provided works well, however if you have a Security Suite you might want to consider letting it run its own firewall for better integration.

Improvements in this Version

This version of XP includes the many security fixes that were available over the last year. The majority focus on security updates, an ever increasing problem for your PC.

These updates would normally be free from Microsoft update, however many computers that are running hacked or OEM versions of XP will not be allowed to download these updates since their copy of windows will not verify. If you do not have XP Service Pack II installed then expect many crashes in all Microsoft programs. (especially Office) The windows XP sold without these updates "does not work" reliably and requires a lengthy download. This is very annoying for those using a dial up modem to connect to the Internet.

Following the message body is a list of the security flaws being actively exploited by hackers , viruses, and trojans. All those listed have been corrected with this update. Some major functionality changes were made as well, the most noticeable is a Security Center that will manage your Firewall, Microsoft update, and Anti-virus protection in one swoop.

Important Changes in Update and the Addition of Security Center

One problem with Windows XP that was improved but not corrected was the Change or Remove Programs list. You get better result with the functionality of this program now, but will still need a better remove program such as that built into System Mechanic to remove malicious program and those that are not registered properly.

The old version of Microsoft Update was a known culprit for system hangs. Especially when loading the computer with a pre-downloaded update awaiting your approval. The new version works better and installs driver updates as well as critical updates. Once running it will keep you computer up to date on all the new fixes prior to the release of the next service pack. Another neat feature in the new version is the "install updates on shutdown." This is a huge improvement that will increase your chances of a good update by eliminating interference from other programs.

These security updates alone are not near enough to protect your computer. You still need a well supported Anti-Virus protection program such as Symantec Norton Antivirus 2006 for PC . It is a crying shame that Microsoft did not include their Antispyware with this version.

Another program included is the "malicious program removal tool." It can be hard to locate when installed but will give some basic protection against major intrusions such as Blaster, Sasser, Mydoom, and more. It is not a replacement for a Norton but might get rid of enough system problems on an infected computer to do an install without reformatting.

Conclusion
If you are running XP without this update you will be a victim of endless system crashes and security exploits. It is a necessity and to do without it will give such poor performance that you will want to migrate to another operating system. By purchasing your legal copy of Windows XP with these security fixes installed, you increase your chances of eliminating attacks in some cases days or even weeks before a major outbreak.


Microsoft TechNet list the following Security Updates in SP2 (Items in quotes directly from their page)
"• MS04-025 (867801) - Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer

• MS04-024 (839645) - Vulnerability in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution

• MS04-023 (840315) - Vulnerability in HTML Help Could Allow Code Execution

• MS04-022 (841873) - Vulnerability in Task Scheduler Could Allow Code Execution

• MS04-018 (823353) - Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express

• MS04-016 (839643) - Vulnerability in DirectPlay Could Allow Denial of Service

• MS04-015 (840374) - Vulnerability in Help and Support Center Could Allow Remote Code Execution

• MS04-014 (837001) - Vulnerability in the Microsoft Jet Database Engine Could Allow Code Execution

• MS04-013 (837009) - Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express

• MS04-012 (828741) - Cumulative Update for Microsoft RPC/DCOM

• MS04-011 (835732) - Security Update for Microsoft Windows

• MS04-007 (828028) - ASN.1 Vulnerability Could Allow Code Execution

• MS04-004 (832894) - Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer

• MS04-003 (832483) - Buffer Overrun in MDAC Function Could Allow Code Execution

• MS03-051 (813360) - Buffer Overrun in Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions Could Allow Code Execution

• MS03-049 (828749) - Buffer Overrun in the Workstation Service Could Allow Code Execution

• MS03-048 (824145) - Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer

• MS03-045 (824141) - Buffer Overrun in the ListBox and in the ComboBox Control Could Allow Code Execution

• MS03-044 (825119) - Buffer Overrun in Windows Help and Support Center Could Lead to System Compromise

• MS03-043 (828035) - Buffer Overrun in Messenger Service Could Allow Code Execution

• MS03-041 (823182) - Vulnerability in Authenticode Verification Could Allow Remote Code Execution

• MS03-040 (828750) - Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

• MS03-039 (824146) - Buffer Overrun in RPCSS Service Could Allow Code Execution

• MS03-034 (824105) - Flaw in NetBIOS Could Lead to Information Disclosure

• MS03-032 (822925) - Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

• MS03-030 (819696) - Unchecked Buffer in DirectX Could Enable System Compromise

• MS03-027 (821557) - Unchecked Buffer in Windows Shell Could Enable System Compromise

• MS03-026 (823980) - Buffer Overrun in RPC Interface Could Allow Code Execution

• MS03-024 (817606) - Buffer Overrun in Windows Could Lead to Data Corruption

• MS03-023 (823559) - Buffer Overrun in HTML Converter Could Allow Code Execution

• MS03-021 (819639) - Flaw in Windows Media Player May Allow Media Library Access

• MS03-020 (818529) - Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

• MS03-018 (811114) - Cumulative Patch for Internet Information Service

• MS03-015 (813489) - Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

• MS03-014 (330994) - Cumulative Patch for Outlook Express

• MS03-013 (811493) - Buffer Overrun in Windows Kernel Message Handling Could Lead to Elevated Privileges

• MS03-010 (331953) - Flaw in RPC Endpoint Mapper Could Allow Denial of Service Attacks

• MS03-008 (814078) - Flaw in Windows Script Engine Could Allow Code Execution

• MS03-007 (815021) - Unchecked Buffer in Windows Component Could Cause Server Compromise

• MS03-005 (810577) - Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-005

• MS03-004 (810847) - Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

• MS03-001 (810833) - Unchecked Buffer in Locator Service Could Lead to Code Execution

• MS02-072 (329390) - Unchecked Buffer in Windows Shell Could Enable System Compromise

• MS02-071 (328310) - Flaw in Windows WM_TIMER Message Handling Could Enable Privilege Elevation

• MS02-070 (329170) - Flaw in SMB Signing Could Enable Group Policy to be Modified

• MS02-068 (324929) - Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

• MS02-066 (328970) - Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

• MS02-063 (329834) - Unchecked Buffer in PPTP Implementation Could Enable Denial of Service Attacks

• MS02-062 (327696) - Cumulative Patch for Internet Information Service

• MS02-055 (323255) - Unchecked Buffer in Windows Help Facility Could Enable Code Execution

• MS02-050 (Q329115) - Certificate Validation Flaw Could Enable Identity Spoofing"