kayodeok's Weblog

Thursday 01 January 2004

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Preview

Paul Thurrot previews Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) with screenshots of the following:

• New Windows Update
• New Internet Connection Firewall Applet
• New pop-up ad blocking and browser add-on management in Internet Explorer 6.05
• New email security features in Outlook Express 6.05

I couldn't get the screenshots to load when I went calling at his site but Microsoft has a 73 page Word Document explaining what to expect in Windows XP Service Pack 2.

If you are curious, main highlights are:

• Network Protection
  • Internet Connection Firewall switched on by default
  • Boot time security
  • Global configuration
  • Local subnet restriction
  • Command-line support
  • Shielded operational mode
  • ICF Permissions List
  • Multiple Profiles
  • RPC support
  • Enhanced multicast and broadcast support
  • Updated Netsh Helper for IPv6 ICF
  • Updated user interface
  • New Group Policy support
  • IPv4 inbound connections for applications
  • IPv4 inbound connections for services
  • IPv4 inbound connections on RPC and DCOM
  • RPC Interface Restriction
  • DCOM Security Enhancements
• Memory Protection
  • Execution Protection (NX)
• Safer Email Handling (No content available in the Word Document)
• More Secure Browsing
  • Internet Explorer Add-on Management
  • Internet Explorer Add-on Management for Administrators
  • Internet Explorer Add-on Crash Detection
  • New Internet Explorer Security Setting
  • Internet Explorer BindToObject Mitigation
  • ActiveX Security Model applied to URL object initializations
  • Internet Explorer MSJVM Security Setting
  • Internet Explorer Local Machine Zone Lockdown
  • Internet Explorer MIME Handling Enforcement
  • Internet Explorer Object Caching
  • Internet Explorer Pop-up Manager
  • Internet Explorer Untrusted Publishers Mitigations
  • Internet Explorer Window Restrictions
  • Internet Explorer Zone Elevation Blocks
• Improved Computer Maintenance (No content available in the Word Document)

I notice that none of the above helps me as a webmaster though Microsoft has some spiel on Object Caching which I am not likely to need.

Related: Windows XP Service Pack 2

• Deploying ICF in Managed Environments with XPSP2
• Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
• It's Out: XP SP2 Beta 1
• XP Service Pack 2: Last Stop Till 'Longhorn'
• IE Overhaul Part of Windows XP SP2
• More on What's Coming in XP SP2
• Service Pack for XP Ready; What About Win2000?
• Update: Microsoft readies Windows XP Service Pack 2 beta
• http://www.crn.com/components/weblogs/article.asp?ArticleID=46938
• Windows XP SP2 Beta Reviewed
• Windows XP Service Pack 2: A Developer's View
• Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta first look

Related: Longhorn Previews

• Windows Longhorn Build 4051 Review
• Part One: Introduction
• Part Two: A Quick Look at the Developer Preview Build
• Part Three: Longhorn Presentation Technologies
• Part Four: Introducing User Experiences

Update: The screenshots seem to be working now.