14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is right on track to deliver upgrades to Windows XP Professional x64 and Windows Server 2003 via Automatic Updates. With the availability of Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, the Redmond Company will introduce a collection of updates, and enhancements rising the level of security and stability in both Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional 64-bit. The SP2 refresh was initially launched in March 2007, as a free download. However, the Windows Server Division revealed from the very start plans to distribute the service pack worldwide through Automatic Updates.
Having already decided on June 2007 as the month when it would begin to server Windows Server 2003 SP2 on AU, Microsoft now revealed that June 12 will be the start day. "FYI next week on Tuesday, June 12th we will begin releasing Windows Server 2003 SP2 through Automatic Updates (AU.) To ensure more control over when and how SP2 is deployed, users will need to click on the AU "Updates are ready to install" balloon notification, accept the end user license agreement and go through the Welcome screen. Customers can also use the SP2 blocker tool if they wish to disable delivery via AU completely. WSUS admins are also required to explicitly accept the SP2 EULA in order to enable automatic deployment," explained a member of the Windows Server Division team.
Microsoft has already enjoyed a strong adoption rate with SP2 from Windows XP Professional x64 and Windows Server 2003 customers. The company informed that it hit 400,000 downloads after just the first week of availability. The install experience of the Windows Server 2003 SP2 has also been fine-tuned after the second service pack for Windows XP. But as usual Microsoft has also put in place a toolkit designed to temporarily block delivery of Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.