What are service packs for Windows, and where can I get them?

On this page:

• Introduction
• Windows Vista service pack information
• Windows XP service pack information
• Windows 2000 service pack information
• Getting service packs

Introduction

Windows service packs (SPs) are collections of updates that fix problems with the Windows operating system and occasionally add additional components. You can apply service packs to all versions of Windows 2000 or XP. Currently, the latest service packs are SP4 for Windows 2000, SP3 for Windows XP, and SP1 for Windows Vista.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista SP1 was released in February 2008. A list of the hotfixes and updates contained in the service pack is available in the Microsoft Technet article Hotfixes and Security Updates included in Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

Windows XP

Windows XP SP3 includes all updates contained in the previous SPs (2, 1, and 1a). For complete information, see What is Windows XP Service Pack 3, and how do I install it?

Windows 2000

SP4 for Windows 2000, which includes all updates contained in SPs 1-3, addresses the following:

• Application and hardware compatibility
• Windows 2000 setup, and setup for various add-on components
• Operating system reliability
• Security, including the latest updates for known Windows 2000 security problems
• Patches for programs and utilities included in Windows 2000, such as Windows Media Player

Getting service packs

You can get service packs in several ways:

• From Microsoft's web site:
  
  
  • Windows XP and Vista: Microsoft recommends that you either use Automatic Updates, or visit the Windows Update web site at: http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx

    For instructions on how to enable automatic updates for Windows XP and Vista, see What is the Windows Automatic Updates feature and how do I use it?

  • Windows 2000: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/2000/default.aspx
• Order the Service Pack CD from Microsoft:
  
  
  • Windows XP: https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/start.om?StoreID=D7A098F4-4034-4CCB-A785-9E890E6B4F5B&LocaleCode=en-us&NewTrans=1
• Indiana University students, faculty, and staff can download the latest service packs from IUware Online: http://iuware.iu.edu/ Note: Service packs are located under the Operating Systems software category.

Some of the information in this document is taken from Microsoft's Frequently Asked Questions pages at:

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