Microsoft Doubles Blocking Time For SP2

Microsoft on Tuesday doubled the time that businesses can block Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) from downloading automatically, giving them until mid-April, 2005, to test the update.

In August, Microsoft offered up a number of tools and techniques to block SP2 from hitting desktops and laptops via Automatic Update or Windows Update, the Redmond, Wash.-based developer's auto and manual updating mechanisms, respectively. Other updates, such as the security patches that Microsoft releases the second Tuesday of each month, however, would still make their way to machines.

The original cut-off for delaying Windows XP SP2 was 120 days from August 16, or Dec. 14, 2004. Tuesday, however, Microsoft alerted customers via e-mail and posted a change on the TechNet Web site that extended the blocking time line by another 120 days, to April 12, 2005.

Coincidentally -- or not -- April 12, 2005, is that month's scheduled date for the release of Microsoft security bulletins and patches.

Bottom line: business have a bit more than seven months from now to test applications against SP2 before the update becomes more-or-less mandatory.

This story courtesy of TechWeb.com.