So, how is Windows XP Service Pack 2 working for those of you who’ve gotten it? I just installed the final version and my machine got better and Cleartype seems to work better too.
I’ve upgraded four systems here, and a fifth has Automatic Updates enabled so that I can check to see what happens with updates that come down in that format. So far, so good. Installation smooth, not a glitch to speak of.
And I also got this anonymous question:
If someone has installed SP2 RC 1 or 2, and has Windows Update turned on, will they be auto-updated to the final version? Ideally, someone who’s taken the step to install a release candidate will be savvy enough to uninstall it, then install the finished version. But what if they simply don’t? What happens?
No need to uninstall. The SP2 final release was specifically designed to install over and update earlier release candidates. In essence, those public versions were treated as if they were official releases. Think of them as Service Packs 1.98 and 1.99.
My unofficial educated guess based on a bunch of publicly available information says that delivery of SP2 via Automatic Updates will start today if you have AU turned on and you already have a beta of SP2 installed. For those who never installed an SP2 beta, AU will begin delivery of the final SP2 code next week. Finally, it will be available manually via Windows Update in about two weeks.
Got more SP2 questions? Send me a note.
Ed Bott 