courtesy of Microsoft.com 1. Help protect your PC from harmful attachments. By alerting you to potentially unsafe attachments, Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) helps guard your computer from viruses that can spread through Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, and Windows Messenger. 2. Improve your privacy when you’re on the Web. SP2 helps protect your private information by applying the security settings that guard your PC to the files and content downloaded using Internet Explorer. 3. Avoid potentially unsafe downloads. Internet Explorer download monitoring and the Internet Explorer Information Bar warn you about potentially harmful downloads and give you the option to block files that could be malicious. 4. Reduce annoying pop-ups. Internet Explorer Pop-Up Blocker makes browsing the Internet more enjoyable by helping you reduce the unwanted ads and content that pop up when you’re browsing the Web. 5. Get firewall protection from startup to shutdown. The powerful, built-in Windows Firewall is now turned on by default. This helps protect Windows XP against viruses and worms that can spread over the Internet. 6. Take control of your security settings. The new Windows Security Center allows you to easily view your security status and manage key security settings in one convenient place. 7. Get the latest updates easily. Enhancements to Windows XP’s Automatic Updates feature make it even easier to access Windows updates. Plus, new technology has been added to help dial-up customers download updates more efficiently. 8. Help protect your e-mail address. Improvements to Outlook Express help reduce unwanted e-mail by limiting the possibility of your e-mail address being validated by potential spammers. 9. Take action against crashes caused by browser add-ons. The new Add-On Manager in Internet Explorer lets you easily view and control add-ons to reduce the potential for crashes and enjoy a more trouble-free browsing experience. 10. Go wireless without the hassle. SP2 improves wireless support and simplifies the process of discovering and connecting to wireless networks in your home or on the road. learn more here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/preinstall.mspx
Top reasons not to install SP2..... Don't use IE, Firefox is better by far(or just about any other browser for that matter....), including pop up blocking There are better firewalls available from software companies. There are better alternatives to Outlook as well..... Sorry but I'm not a big microsoft fan. I choose other available avenues whenever possible. Hopefully no offense taken....
I have more than one computer and I do use firefox as well. I saw a post from a newbie asking about service pack 2 and why should he/she install it. So I went to Microsoft and saw what I posted here. As you can see I put courtesy of Microsoft and the direct link to the info. Those reasons are not my personal ones, but some people may find it useful. I suggest you create a thread on the top 10 reasons of Firefox so those who are interested in this, if any, aren't deterred by your comments. Thanks
My comments are mere opinion. But people should be aware that just because microsoft says so, they don't have to install SP2. I have yet to do it, and until I find any critical reason to do so, I won't. At one point in time this forum was littered with threads of people having problems with video backup after installing SP2. That has since been resolved by microsoft. I personally can't deter anyone from installing SP2. If they choose not to, then it was their own choice, hopefully based on information they've gathered from sources other than microsoft. Maybe it will be based on whether or not they even use Internet Explorer, or Outlook Express, or if they run their own software firewall. As I said, I provided only an opinion, that goes against the information you provided. It might do well for people to see a discussion pro/con of SP2......
I agree. I guess that just wasn't my intent when I posted this. A guy wanted a little info so I figured why not just post it for all instead of a PM like he wanted. You make a very valid point and for the record, I don't have SP2 on any of my systems either. There is no need "for me" I have enough secrity for my systems without adding SP to create conflicts. I didn't mean what I said in a mean way either, just so you know. Like I said, it just wasn't my intent when I posted this thread. But you're right, people should get the user's view not just the what the companies want you to know.
