Is XP SP 1 a Waste of MBs?

Microsoft

The CD-based installation requires as much as 717 Mbytes of drive space to complete, while the express installation via the Internet reduces space requirements to 434 Mbytes.

Deploying SP 1 via a network can help ease initial deployment, but solution providers will need to choose between a 134-Mbyte download file or coughing up $10 to purchase the CD.

The primary advantages associated with SP 1 are the security and bug fixes. While the individual fixes have been available via Microsoft's critical update service, SP 1 brings all those patches together under one installation. That offers an advantage to both new installs of Windows XP and for those without high-speed internet connections.

To meet requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Justice, SP 1 also updates the Add/Remove Programs applet with a "set program access and defaults" option, allowing certain Windows XP features to be disabled.

SP 1 adopters can use that new feature to disable access to previously integrated products such as Internet Explorer, Windows Messenger, Outlook Express and Windows Media Player.

Considering that Microsoft's key bug fixes and security updates have been available for some time via Microsoft's Web-based update service, SP 1 might very well be the one Microsoft service pack not to get.