Windows XP SP2 Beta Reviewed

worm eater writes "Ars Technica has a characteristically thorough review of Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta, with plenty of screen shots. In a nutshell, it's all about security fixes, including a seriously beefed up firewall. The final release is expected this summer." The review concludes: "Overall, Microsoft has made a step in the right direction with this service pack. The increased focus on security will be good not only for the average user who does not spend much time thinking about security her system, but also for 'power users' and those who work supporting end users."

Comments

Wow, finally..

[EvilStein]

popup blocker in IE. Finally!
It ASKS YOU before installing random crap in the background and at least notes that "Some software could be harmful"

Good. Step in the right direction. :D

Re:download

[Lukey Boy]

No; from what I know it's available to MSDN Universal subscribers and BetaPlace members.

the nicest feature

[Darth_brooks]

the "never install software from..." button.

Microsoft must be trying to bankrupt Gator / GAIN / THAT COMPANY THAT MAKES a product remarkably simliar to SPYWARE. They'll be filing for name changes once a week now.

The patch for XP is 2003 Server...

[Anonymous Coward]

I've been running 2003 as a desktop for a couple of weeks now. Haven't found one thing that ran on XP that couldn't be made to run on 2003. Everything is locked down until expressly opened. All the eye candy and useless dross from XP is turned off or MIA. Seems much peppier as a desktop and webserver than XP or even 2000. IIS 6 almost (almost) makes you forget all the crap MS released in the past.

Security features

[n0nsensical]

Found this article from Microsoft, might be of interest to some, "This document contains preliminary information about the security technologies in Windows XP SP2."
Windows XP Service Pack 2: A Developer's View

Re:A review of a service pack

[IntergalacticWalrus]

Again, apples and oranges. Decimal updates of OS X are more than just security updates. You can't compare them to a windows service pack. And yes, Apple does release free security updates too.

Re:Mostly security fixes? Then why 200+ MB?!

[riscthis]

From Windows XP Service Pack 2: A Developer's View on MSDN:

"...core Windows components are being recompiled with the most recent version of our compiler technology to help mitigate against buffer overruns."

So it's large because most of the binaries have been recompiled, even ones where the code hasn't changed.

However, the main thing that drew my attention was this, which Ars Technica only briefly mentioned:

Additionally, Microsoft is working with microprocessor companies to help Windows support hardware-enforced "no execute" (or NX) on microprocessors that contain the feature. NX uses the CPU itself to enforce the separation of application code and data, preventing an application or Windows component from executing program code that an attacking worm or virus inserted into a portion of memory marked for data only."

(lots more detail on the MSDN link)

Re:Internet Explorer.. CSS compatibility updated?

[Anonymous Coward]

No, the CSS isn't fixed, so it's still 1998 for 95% of the web browsing world.

It's pretty perverse that IE6 for Windows in 2004 doesn't even support CSS as well as IE for the Mac did in 2000. They can't even compete with their own abandonware!

Re:A review of a service pack

[focitrixilous P]

It let me know a pop-up blocker was on the way (I was SO going to get Earthlink :), it let me know Outlook will be better in keeping viruses in check, and finally a firewall that will help keep viruses and spyware from running on my computer.

Cause you had no browsers with native pop-up blocking,,No virus-free mail clients,, and no free anti-virus for XP before now
please...