Windows Service Pack Road Map

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

Service Packs are cumulative, which means that each new service pack contains all of the fixes that are included with previous service packs and any new fixes, and you do not have to install a previous version of a service pack before you install the latest version. A Security Rollup Package (SRP) provides a cumulative rollup of security updates that have been offered since the last SP.

Based on feedback from customers and partners Microsoft is committed to providing a 12 month roadmap of upcoming service packs and security rollup packages detailed in the table below.

IMPORTANT: The immediately preceding service pack is supported for either 12 or 24 months after the current service pack releases, depending upon the specific service pack. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh%3Ben-us%3Blifecycle&LN=EN-US&x=20&y=10.

Microsoft strongly recommends that all customers install the most current service pack available for your version of Windows. Service packs include security updates, DCRs, and Hotfixes (all updates that resolve issues discovered by customers or by the Microsoft internal testing team). Security Updates and Hotfixes are available on the current version of the service pack and for a limited time on the "immediately preceding service pack" as detailed in the Product Lifecycle Web sites below.



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Interesting; no mention of XP Professional x64 Edition

I wonder if the first XP x64 Service Pack will arrive with the Windows Server x64 SP2, or with the XP Pro x86 SP 3 ?

If I had to guess I would bet on the first... since the code for x64 as i am sure you very well know is 2k3....

*but* I would also guess that SP2 for 2k3 would be released within a week of SP3 for XP x86, because of greater demand.

Computer Guru wrote:

*but* I would also guess that SP2 for 2k3 would be released within a week of SP3 for XP x86, because of greater demand.

Am I missing something? They are one year apart.