Microsoft Security Advisory (891861)

Purpose of Advisory: To announce the availability of and to clarify the purpose of the Update Rollup 1 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4).

Advisory Status: Microsoft Knowledge Base Article and associated update were released.

Recommendation: Review the referenced Knowledge Base Article and apply the Update Rollup as appropriate.

This advisory discusses the following software.

What is the scope of the advisory?
To announce the availability of and to clarify the purpose of the Update Rollup 1 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4).

How will Microsoft list Update Rollup 1 for Windows SP4 on the Windows Update Web site?
The Update Rollup 1 for Windows SP4 is a high-priority update on the Windows Update Web site. On the Windows Update site it will be listed in the “Critical and Service Packs” category. Windows Update will be transitioning Windows 2000 customers to a new version of Windows Update during the next few months, at which time, the Update Rollup 1 will be listed in the “High Priority Updates” Category.

Should I install Update Rollup 1 even if I have kept my Windows 2000 SP4 systems up to date?
Yes. Update Rollup 1 contains additional important fixes in files that have not previously been part of individual security updates, as described in the Knowledge Base Article. In addition, the Update Rollup 1 contains additional enhancements that increase system security, reliability, reduce support costs, and support the current generation of PC hardware. In some cases, the individual binary files released in previous individual security updates may have been updated via individual hotfixes to address minor compatibility issues introduced in those prior security updates that affected individual customers. The latest versions of those files are included in the Update Rollup.

Therefore, even if a system is fully up to date with prior security releases, Windows Update will still detect and apply the Update Rollup. Customers who use managed security update deployment solutions should evaluate the need to deploy Update Rollup 1 within their infrastructure

Will Update Rollup 1 for Windows 2000 SP4 be distributed over Automatic Updates?
Initially the Update Rollup will not be distributed over Automatic Updates. This is due to the upcoming transition for Windows 2000 customers to a new version of Windows Update. Once the transition is complete, which is expected in early July 2005, Automatic Updates will be enabled for the Update Rollup.

Review the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article that is associated with this advisory

We encourage Windows 2000 SP4 customers to install this update. Customers who are interested in learning more about this release should review Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 891861.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this advsiory, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.