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.
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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Windows NT Workstation & Windows NT Server 4.xx |
SP5 |
SP6a and SP6a SRP1
November 30, 1999 |
Windows NT 4.XX is now out of support and Microsoft is no longer producing public monthly security updates or service packs.2
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Windows 2000 Professional & Windows 2000 Server, Advanced Server and Datacenter Server3 |
SP3 |
SP4
June 26th 2003
Update Rollup #1 for SP4
June 28, 2005 |
No further updates planned. Customers must be running SP4 to continue to receive monthly security updates.
Microsoft recommends updating SP4 machines to Update Rollup #1 (KB891861). |
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Windows XP Home Edition |
SP1 |
SP2
August 6, 2004 |
SP3 for Windows XP Home Edition is currently planned for 1H CY2008. This date is preliminary. |
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Windows XP Professional |
SP1 |
SP2
August 6, 2004 |
SP3 for Windows XP Professional is currently planned for 1H CY2008. This date is preliminary. |
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Windows Server 2003 |
SP1 |
SP2
March 13, 2007 |
To Be Determined |
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Windows Vista |
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SP1 for Windows Vista is planned for 1Q CY2008. This date is based on beta feedback. |
Advice for Business CustomersMicrosoft recommends that business customers use the above table to plan for the evaluation of new Service Packs as soon as they become available and to allow for the fastest possible transition time, in order to maintain all PCs on current service packs. When preparing for deployment of a service pack it is important to test your mission critical line of business (LOB) applications internally. Microsoft takes great care prior to releasing a service pack to ensure that there are no regressions in the product, and we test with many applications, but it is not possible to test with all LOB applications. Prior to deploying a service pack please consider the following as part of your deployment plan. - Choose an installation method
- Identify the deployment tools and files
- Determine upgrade options
- Check space requirements
- Test the deployment in your environment
- Evaluate application compatibility modes
Advice for ConsumersWindows service packs can be downloaded from the Windows Update Web Site or the Microsoft Download Center. Automatic Updates in Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition can keep your computer up to date with the latest hotfixes. However, service packs are not automatically deployed at this time. You will need to visit the Windows Update website manually to install the Service Pack. Windows XP checks the Windows Update Web site for the latest updates when you are on the Internet, determines which updates apply to your computer, and downloads them in the background while you keep working. If you choose not to use the automatic update feature (or if you are not running Windows XP on your system), all the fixes and service packs are available on the Windows Update Web site. Windows Update is the online extension of Windows that helps you to keep your computer up-to-date. Use Windows Update to choose updates for your computer's operating system software. New content is added to the site regularly, so you can always get the most recent updates and fixes to protect your computer and keep it running smoothly.
- You can only install the Security Rollup Package if you are running Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a. Security hotfix support has been extended through June 30, 2004 for Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a. Support for non-security hotfixes will not be extended, and ended as previously announced on June 30, 2003 for Windows NT Workstation 4.0.
- Due to feedback and reviews of the feasibility and usability of the Windows Security Rollup Packages Microsoft has decided that we will not be releasing these for the foreseeable future. We understand that this represents a change of plans that may trouble some customers. While some customers received the initial security rollup positively, others expressed differing views. The introduction of Microsoft Software Update Services and the SMS Feature pack, in particular have allowed us to provide customers with more flexible alternatives to security rollups.
- Security hotfix support has been extended through June 30, 2004 for Windows 2000 SP2. Support for non-security hotfixes will not be extended, and ended as previously announced on August 18, 2003 for Windows 2000 SP2.
Microsoft will periodically review this roadmap for its appropriateness and may make policy adjustments on a particular Windows operating system. For More InformationService Packs and Security Patch Policy |
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