Windows XP updated

By Alun Williams

Posted on 9 Sep 2002 at 17:22

Windows XP is made more open for third-party applications, in the wake of the proposed Microsoft anti-trust settlement.

Today sees the official release of Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), a bundle of updates and bug fixes for Microsoft's flagship Windows operating system.

As well as a host of security patches, the changes to the OS are part of the proposed anti-trust settlement reached with the US Justice department and nine states back in November 2001. Specifically, Microsoft committed itself to supplying a version of Windows where system-builders, or end-users, could hide Microsoft 'middleware' programs - such as Internet Explorer - to give equivalent third-party applications more prominence.

The specific middleware applications listed in the settlement were Internet Explorer, Windows Media, Outlook Express, Instant Messenger and Microsoft's implementation of a Java virtual machine (JVM). Their visibility to end-users - through the use of 'Set Program Access' - is now configurable within SP1 (as it already is with SP3 of Windows 2000, incidentally).

Although these programs can be hidden from view, they are not removed from the operating system altogether. In case a third-party application assumed the presence of any of these programs, their functionality must still be available.

As well as all the various security patches made available - ad hoc - via the Windows Update system, SP1 also contains updates from Microsoft's 'Trustworthy Computing' code review. In this area, a controversial feature is the presence of Microsoft's strict End User License Agreement (EULA). Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft reserves the right to automatically download OS components onto your computer that may - in the name of securing content - disable your ability to copy or play certain software.

Also within SP1 - to try clamping down on software piracy - is a product activation system that detects leaked activation codes. XP installations using the illegally cloned software (with the well known keys) will be rejected by the service pack.

Windows XP SP1 is available to the general public from the Windows XP Web site or on CD by request.

'Microsoft is always focused on improving the reliability and security of Windows for our customers, and Service Pack 1 is the latest delivery on our commitment to those customers,' said Jim Allchin, group VP for Microsoft's Platforms Products Group. 'Windows XP is the most secure and dependable operating system we have ever produced, but our work doesn't end when we ship the product.'

The SP1 software was officially released to manufacturing at the end of August and numerous copies have already been circulating on the Web. It will weigh in at a mighty 133Mb.