Quick overview:
The Redmond programmers took over a month longer than for Windows 2000 to get one of the biggest XP events of the year off the ground: Service Pack 1 has been on Microsoft's download pages since the early morning of September 10 and is set to far eclipse the previous update packages that became famous in Windows NT times. This Windows XP SP1 preview will show you whether the operating system makers have really gone the extra mile this time or whether the previous problems have been replaced by new ones.
Service Pack 1 lives up to its name, because all the hotfixes from the Microsoft Hotline, the Knowledge Base and the download pages have been conveniently compiled and are ready for an all-round attack on the errors, grievances and problems of the eXPerience world.
When developing the service pack, Microsoft set its sights very high and promised to make fundamental improvements to security, speed and problem solving, thus raising the hopes of many crash-plagued Windows XP users and those who are constantly struggling with security gaps in the network and performance problems at work. But compatibility has also finally been implemented in a sensible way and so Windows XP, after the SP1 fresh cell cure, comes with completely new hardware support and compatibility enhancements for hundreds of programs.
Service Pack 1 - More than just 400 hotfixes in one bundle
In addition to these many patches, updates and hotfixes, there are also completely new technologies on board for the future, which bring Windows XP back to the current technical intermediate status. The most important innovation is the removal of MiddleWare...
MediaPlayer, Messenger, Internet Explorer and co. in the crosshairs
Months before the official date, the company had already been informed of the
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) made it clear that Microsoft should finally lift its monopoly and show mercy to third-party manufacturers. It is now possible to uninstall the integrated programs MSN Messenger 4.7, Internet Explorer 6.0, Windows Media Player 8.0, Java Virtual Machine (Microsoft has changed the Java standard for the worse) and Outlook Express 6.0 from the system. Please note that Microsoft does not mean deleting or uninstalling, but only deleting the links and internal references.
You will also find this symbol in small form in the start menu
If you are now using the current Opera 6.05 browser, it will claim all HTML endings for itself anyway and remove them from Internet Explorer, which is why this feature unfortunately makes little sense. The same applies to audio/video files that you previously opened with MP 8/9 and have now decided to use WinAMP 3.0 as your standard application. So the fuss that the press and Microsoft itself are making about the MiddleWare revolution is nothing more than a question of changing file endings and shortcuts. A decent way to delete at least a part of it is to use this Windows Tweaks Articles.
In the Control Panel, you can now edit the so-called MiddleWare
I strongly recommend that you take a look outside the Microsoft fence in which you are locked up:
MSN Messenger 4.7
A much better alternative is the Chatguru Trillianwhich not only has MSN compatibility but also works with ICQ, Y!, AIM and IRC, which makes its superiority clear. In addition, there is no need to worry about possible espionage by the company guru - rumors to this effect are currently making the rounds.
Internet Explorer 6.0
I use the browser as a much better alternative Opera 6.05: Its speed is a big plus, even with a modem, and compatibility is no longer as bad as it used to be in the corner of third-party browsers. The possibility of visually enhancing Opera with skins is also commendable and puts Opera in a much better light than Internet Explorer. It's just a shame that hardly anyone has seen this so far...
Windows Media Player 8.0/9.0
In my opinion, the new generation of media players from Microsoft is very convincing and is quite simply the best playback program for audio and video media. The media library is extremely easy to use and is also very user-friendly thanks to the easy selection of playlists. In the test, the products WinAMP 2.xx or 3.00 beta is much worse. One downside is the spy function, which can easily be switched off, and the lack of skins.
Outlook Express 6.0
Even if its functionality is not as extensive as its big brother Outlook from the Office XP package, it is still very suitable for all e-mail traffic. Again, I don't agree with the general I hate Microsoft opinion, but rather claim that Outlook is a solid program due to the fact that I have been using it for years.
Java Virtual Machine
The popular programming language, which is suitable for conventional applications and web applications, was revised by Microsoft a few years ago (for the worse). However, since every computer has now been equipped with the new Java, manufacturers have had to accept the MS Java standard for better or worse - the user has no choice but to make do with it, as it is not possible to open all MS Java programs and pages with the original Java from Sun Microsystems. This is also the problem with many third-party browsers.
(I have taken the following two texts from my Windows 2000 SP3 Preview, as they are identical to Windows XP Service Pack 1)
AutoUpdate - the hotfix service for Windows XP
On June 25, Microsoft completed the programming of its new Windows Update Services, which will enhance your system under the name Software Update Service (SUS): This service informs you whether important hotfixes for Windows XP are available when you are connected to the Internet.
This feature is not only interesting for home users, as it makes life and the daily handling of Windows XPSecurity hotfixes easier for system administrators in particular. He can distribute the updates to any network computer.
Click here for a SUS movie describing the new functions
This new service has a firm place in the entire Windows 2000 family as well as in Windows XP and the new Windows .NET. However, it should also be noted that only critical security updates (mostly security holes used by hackers), critical updates and security packages are distributed via the SUS.
Windows Installer 2.0 - the new setup technology analyzed
Microsoft Software Installers are program routines that developers use to install their applications. As soon as you want to set up a program on your computer, the MSI will speak up and guide you through the setup. The simplified handling of MSI 2.0 is particularly interesting for software programmers, as it can now recognize whether the operating system used is Windows XP Home or Professional.
The Windows Installer is aimed at normal users if there are installation problems with some programs (especially in relation to Windows eXPerience). There may be problems with some older installation programs due to the bug fixes and functional enhancements, but Windows Tweaks will check this in more detail.
The integration of the familiar .NET strategy
A breakthrough in the Internet is the .NET strategy, which made its small debut with XP Service Pack 1 and will make a big appearance with Windows .NET and Vista. Here, the Internet is used as (simply put) mass storage. From now on, everyone will be able to upload their data to a Microsoft server (please don't stop reading) and retrieve it from anywhere - however, this ingenious principle can only be realized with broadband Internet connections at the moment, as modem/ISDN would result in considerably longer loading times when accessing and saving files. The .NET Framework (support for this technology) will soon be downloadable for all operating systems from Windows 98 onwards.
The new Windows XP hardware achievements
The mobile handheld devices with the name Windows CE for Smart Displays and Windows Media Center Edition are also operated with Windows XP - but only after the operating system has been prepared for portable and home use with SP1. USB 2.0 support can now also be found in the support list of the Redmond operating system - this technology allows a gigantic data rate of 480 Mbit, which could be particularly interesting for networkers.
The changes in Windows product activation
Microsoft finally wanted to put an end to piracy and added an analysis assistant to Service Pack 1, which determines whether an illegal serial number (the best known begins with FCKGW) is being used. If this is the case, the installation cannot be continued - in the meantime, dozens of keys from legal XP versions have been misused for illegal purposes. Things look bleak for owners of these original versions. Windows Tweaks will soon provide help and explain how to change the product key.
In brief: What you can expect in Windows XP SP1
- USB 2.0, Windows XP Tablet Edition and Windows CE for Smart Displays support
- 400 patches, updates and bug fixes for security, compatibility and problem solving
- A modified (already cracked) product activation technology
- The option to remove the MiddleWare
- The new Windows Update Services
- The Internet Explorer SP1
- .NET Framework support
The exclusive download: Windows XP Service Pack 1
You can use the following link to download the service pack without the fuss and queries you are used to from the Microsoft download pages.
NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows Tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
