First Beta of Windows XP Service Pack 1 Released

Windows XP Service Pack 1, which includes traditional bug fixes and security patches that have been identified since the operating system shipped last October, will comply with Microsoft's tentative consent decree with the government. However, further changes may be necessary as the court weighs penalties beyond that settlement.

Windows XP Service Pack 1, for example, offers four new buttons in a dialog box that make it easier for OEMs and end users to configure the Windows XP desktop with Internet add-ons from Microsoft as well as competitive applications from America Online, Netscape and RealNetworks.

From the Start menu, solution providers can access a "Set Program Access and Defaults" bar which leads them to a page with four options. Two buttons are for OEM and end-user customization, and two others enable end users to configure the Windows XP desktop with all Microsoft Internet middleware or non-Microsoft middleware.

The Windows XP update is expected to be available by late summer. More than 10,000 beta testers were given permission to download Windows XP SP1 Beta 1 for for Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional on Wednesday.

Microsoft is also expected to make available this summer the third service Pack for Windows 2000, which first shipped in February 2000.

According to a recent published report, Windows 2000 SP3 also features a new configuration pane that provides compliance with Microsoft's tentative antitrust settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and nine states. By accessing the new "Configure Programs" option within the Add/Remove programs option, end users will be able to override Microsoft defaults and select a custom Web browser, e-mail client, media player, instant messenger and Java virtual machine, according to the report.