The Windows XP Service Pack 2 patch package has been officially released. Many friends may be a little unfamiliar with WINDOWS XP's latest system patch Service Pack 2 (hereinafter referred to as SP2), so I will talk about my installation process and usage experience. Since the development of XP SP2, MS has released countless internal beta versions, and the MS internal beta versions released online are all MS. Starting from the initial Chinese version of the internal beta, to the later RC1 RC2 RTM2179 RTM2180, I have upgraded all the way and installed them all. I should say that I have some experience. Let me write it down below to share with you.
1: What does Windows XP Service Pack 2 bring to us
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) establishes reliable default security settings for users' computers, effectively protecting the computer from hackers, viruses and other security issues. At the same time, Windows XP SP2 has also added many new functions to provide users with more colorful computing experience. The release of Windows XP SP2 shows that the security performance of Microsoft's operating system has entered a new stage of "active protection". For more details, please click here and here to enter the official page of MS.
2: Instructions on the version and version number that are available for download online now
Starting from August 7th, there have been downloads of this version of WINDOWS XP SP2 CHS RTM2180{no digital signature} on the Internet. As far as I know, the first three websites released were SSITE, Pioneer and PCHome. Almost released simultaneously. The download size of this patch package reaches a huge size of 270MB. However, after MS officially opens update, the download size of SP2 will be around 100MB after upgrading from SP1 {automatic upgrade function enabled}. Regarding the version number, MS development is generally Mile Stone -> Beta 1-> RC -> RTM.
Beta: beta version, this stage version will always add new features.
RC (Release Candidate): The biggest difference between the release candidate version and the beta version is that new functions will always be added in the Beta stage, but when the RC version is approaching, there will be almost no new functions, and focus on debugging, RC1 represents the first version of the release candidate.
RTM (Release to Manufacturing): Manufacturing means manufacturing. Before it is officially launched in retail stores, it takes some time to press tablets, package and distribute. Therefore, the program code must be completed some time before the official release. After the program code is developed, the master piece must be sent to the factory to press a large amount of tablets. This version is called the RTM version. Therefore, the RTM version's program code must be the same as the official version. But there are also differences from the official version: for example, the OEM in the official version cannot be upgraded and installed. If the upgrade version needs to be installed completely, it will check the old operating system CD, etc. These are the differences between RTM and official version, but their main program codes are the same. In other words, the installation of the WINDOWS XP SP2 CHS RTM2180 downloaded online is the same as the SP2 that will be officially released. No difference in function
Three: Some intuitive changes after installing SP2
SP2 has rewritten a large amount of system program code to increase system security and add new functions, but many changes are not something ordinary users and novices like us can understand. Haha, I will only talk about the changes in intuitiveness.
1: Windows Security Center, this security center will automatically pop up after installing SP2 and restarting. It provides a unified view covering all key settings and security tools, simplifying security resource management tasks. Automatic detection of firewalls, antivirus software automatic updates, etc. involving the protection of PC security programs. If your automatic update is not enabled, it will prompt you, and the firewall will also prompt you if it is not enabled, etc. Very practical.
2: Powerful Windows firewall. After installing SP2, it enables Windows firewall by default. The Windows firewall that comes with SP2 is a relatively excellent personal firewall. Therefore, if it is used by individuals, I think you don’t need to install other firewalls. Haha, I have never used other firewalls since SP1. To be honest, the firewall that comes with WINDOWS XP is good, like *s and viruses on the Internet can be intercepted. Of course, it is impossible to stop XX that intentionally invade your PC. The firewall that comes with it cannot stop, and any other civil firewall cannot stop either. The difference between good and bad is just that it takes longer to use XX that invade your PC.
3: Internet Explorer controls pop-up windows. This function is very practical. In the past, when dealing with pop-up ad windows when visiting web pages, some small software that blocks advertisements can be used. This time, this function is integrated in SP2. It provides very user-friendly settings and the effect is also very good. The advertising star {Taobao}, which has been very troublesome on the Internet in recent times, is also unforgivable.
4: IE browser plug-in management, new features allow you to easily uninstall some useless IE browser plug-ins. There is an additional management add-in button in the Tools-IE Options-Program Item. After opening it, it will intuitively tell you that IE has loaded those plug-ins, and you can use, disable and update these ActiveX plug-ins. (Not all can be updated~)
5: Automatic update function, with improved dialog boxes and more efficient download services, the automatic update function is easier to use. When automatic update is turned on, it will appear a small icon in the taskbar in the lower right corner. If the mouse hovers over it, there will be WINDOWS downloading available updates, and you can work normally and other prompt text. There is no significant change in the speed of opening web pages during the download and update. There is nothing unusual when using large-scale drawing software such as Photoshop. There is no situation where the operation is not smooth and the stagnation is stagnant.
6: Attachment Manager, helps to resist computer viruses spread through Outlook Express, Windows Messenger, and Internet Explorer
7: Internet Explorer downloads alerts to alert you to download resources that may be hidden, and allows you to block unsolicited programs and code. If a website tries to download programs to your computer without your authorization, Internet Explorer in Windows XP SP2 will use the information bar to notify you. To notify you, the information bar will be displayed and then disappear when you go to another web page, such as 3721 Groom Diandiantong and other IE plug-ins. If you don’t want to install it, you have three options: 1 Install 2 Never install 3 Ask later. After selecting 2, you will not bother you if you open this page.
8: There is an additional small option on the addition and removal of WINDOWS. After you hook it, you can know which programs you have updated, which is very convenient.
9: After installing SP2, the XP boot screen changed! It turned out that when SP1, a black background appeared after the machine started, and the Microsoft WINDOWS XP Professional logo appeared in the middle! After installing SP2, it turned into a black background, and the Microsoft Windows XP logo was just a Microsoft Windows XP logo in the middle, and the words PROFESSIONAL disappeared!
10: If you are upgrading and installing from SP1, after installing SP2, all the security patches in the previous addition/deletion will disappear. Sp2 contains all the previous security patches, remove all of them and leave a single SP2.
11: Windows XP SP2 includes the latest Direct X 9.0c and also integrates Windows Media Player9 Coal Player.
12: There are no hardware requirements for upgrading and installing SP2. In the past, it could run the system and software smoothly when using SP1. After installing SP2, it can run very smoothly. What is explained here is that this is just my personal feeling and has not been tested with professional software.
Four: Errors that may occur during installation
1: I like to modify some system files myself. I encountered it when I first installed SP. If there is an error dialog box such as XX system core file not..., it prompts that sp2 will not be installed. At this time, you can copy this file on another PC to overwrite or restore this file.
2: If a virtual optical drive is installed, if the error dialog box appears when this file is occupied, it prompts that sp2 will not be installed. You can enter the windows\system32\drivers directory, delete the file after backup, and restore it after installation. But if you install the Alcohol 120% optical drive software, then you should uninstall it first and install it after the sp2 patch is finished!
3: SP2 supports direct upgrade and installation from SP1, but it is not necessary. Microsoft will release a Service Pack every time the patch is released to a certain number. You can go to the X:\WINDOWS\system32 folder to check it out. Some system files have been upgraded to SP2 in your usual UP. Service Pack includes all the previous upgrade information, and may also add some new features. Therefore, SP2 includes SP1, and all upgrade patch information released later. When upgrading to SP2, the recommended method is to directly upgrade from the original version to SP2, which can reduce a lot of junk files. Similarly, if you want to engrave a SP2 installation CD yourself, the recommended integration method is the original + SP2.
1: What does Windows XP Service Pack 2 bring to us
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) establishes reliable default security settings for users' computers, effectively protecting the computer from hackers, viruses and other security issues. At the same time, Windows XP SP2 has also added many new functions to provide users with more colorful computing experience. The release of Windows XP SP2 shows that the security performance of Microsoft's operating system has entered a new stage of "active protection". For more details, please click here and here to enter the official page of MS.
2: Instructions on the version and version number that are available for download online now
Starting from August 7th, there have been downloads of this version of WINDOWS XP SP2 CHS RTM2180{no digital signature} on the Internet. As far as I know, the first three websites released were SSITE, Pioneer and PCHome. Almost released simultaneously. The download size of this patch package reaches a huge size of 270MB. However, after MS officially opens update, the download size of SP2 will be around 100MB after upgrading from SP1 {automatic upgrade function enabled}. Regarding the version number, MS development is generally Mile Stone -> Beta 1-> RC -> RTM.
Beta: beta version, this stage version will always add new features.
RC (Release Candidate): The biggest difference between the release candidate version and the beta version is that new functions will always be added in the Beta stage, but when the RC version is approaching, there will be almost no new functions, and focus on debugging, RC1 represents the first version of the release candidate.
RTM (Release to Manufacturing): Manufacturing means manufacturing. Before it is officially launched in retail stores, it takes some time to press tablets, package and distribute. Therefore, the program code must be completed some time before the official release. After the program code is developed, the master piece must be sent to the factory to press a large amount of tablets. This version is called the RTM version. Therefore, the RTM version's program code must be the same as the official version. But there are also differences from the official version: for example, the OEM in the official version cannot be upgraded and installed. If the upgrade version needs to be installed completely, it will check the old operating system CD, etc. These are the differences between RTM and official version, but their main program codes are the same. In other words, the installation of the WINDOWS XP SP2 CHS RTM2180 downloaded online is the same as the SP2 that will be officially released. No difference in function
Three: Some intuitive changes after installing SP2
SP2 has rewritten a large amount of system program code to increase system security and add new functions, but many changes are not something ordinary users and novices like us can understand. Haha, I will only talk about the changes in intuitiveness.
1: Windows Security Center, this security center will automatically pop up after installing SP2 and restarting. It provides a unified view covering all key settings and security tools, simplifying security resource management tasks. Automatic detection of firewalls, antivirus software automatic updates, etc. involving the protection of PC security programs. If your automatic update is not enabled, it will prompt you, and the firewall will also prompt you if it is not enabled, etc. Very practical.
2: Powerful Windows firewall. After installing SP2, it enables Windows firewall by default. The Windows firewall that comes with SP2 is a relatively excellent personal firewall. Therefore, if it is used by individuals, I think you don’t need to install other firewalls. Haha, I have never used other firewalls since SP1. To be honest, the firewall that comes with WINDOWS XP is good, like *s and viruses on the Internet can be intercepted. Of course, it is impossible to stop XX that intentionally invade your PC. The firewall that comes with it cannot stop, and any other civil firewall cannot stop either. The difference between good and bad is just that it takes longer to use XX that invade your PC.
3: Internet Explorer controls pop-up windows. This function is very practical. In the past, when dealing with pop-up ad windows when visiting web pages, some small software that blocks advertisements can be used. This time, this function is integrated in SP2. It provides very user-friendly settings and the effect is also very good. The advertising star {Taobao}, which has been very troublesome on the Internet in recent times, is also unforgivable.
4: IE browser plug-in management, new features allow you to easily uninstall some useless IE browser plug-ins. There is an additional management add-in button in the Tools-IE Options-Program Item. After opening it, it will intuitively tell you that IE has loaded those plug-ins, and you can use, disable and update these ActiveX plug-ins. (Not all can be updated~)
5: Automatic update function, with improved dialog boxes and more efficient download services, the automatic update function is easier to use. When automatic update is turned on, it will appear a small icon in the taskbar in the lower right corner. If the mouse hovers over it, there will be WINDOWS downloading available updates, and you can work normally and other prompt text. There is no significant change in the speed of opening web pages during the download and update. There is nothing unusual when using large-scale drawing software such as Photoshop. There is no situation where the operation is not smooth and the stagnation is stagnant.
6: Attachment Manager, helps to resist computer viruses spread through Outlook Express, Windows Messenger, and Internet Explorer
7: Internet Explorer downloads alerts to alert you to download resources that may be hidden, and allows you to block unsolicited programs and code. If a website tries to download programs to your computer without your authorization, Internet Explorer in Windows XP SP2 will use the information bar to notify you. To notify you, the information bar will be displayed and then disappear when you go to another web page, such as 3721 Groom Diandiantong and other IE plug-ins. If you don’t want to install it, you have three options: 1 Install 2 Never install 3 Ask later. After selecting 2, you will not bother you if you open this page.
8: There is an additional small option on the addition and removal of WINDOWS. After you hook it, you can know which programs you have updated, which is very convenient.
9: After installing SP2, the XP boot screen changed! It turned out that when SP1, a black background appeared after the machine started, and the Microsoft WINDOWS XP Professional logo appeared in the middle! After installing SP2, it turned into a black background, and the Microsoft Windows XP logo was just a Microsoft Windows XP logo in the middle, and the words PROFESSIONAL disappeared!
10: If you are upgrading and installing from SP1, after installing SP2, all the security patches in the previous addition/deletion will disappear. Sp2 contains all the previous security patches, remove all of them and leave a single SP2.
11: Windows XP SP2 includes the latest Direct X 9.0c and also integrates Windows Media Player9 Coal Player.
12: There are no hardware requirements for upgrading and installing SP2. In the past, it could run the system and software smoothly when using SP1. After installing SP2, it can run very smoothly. What is explained here is that this is just my personal feeling and has not been tested with professional software.
Four: Errors that may occur during installation
1: I like to modify some system files myself. I encountered it when I first installed SP. If there is an error dialog box such as XX system core file not..., it prompts that sp2 will not be installed. At this time, you can copy this file on another PC to overwrite or restore this file.
2: If a virtual optical drive is installed, if the error dialog box appears when this file is occupied, it prompts that sp2 will not be installed. You can enter the windows\system32\drivers directory, delete the file after backup, and restore it after installation. But if you install the Alcohol 120% optical drive software, then you should uninstall it first and install it after the sp2 patch is finished!
3: SP2 supports direct upgrade and installation from SP1, but it is not necessary. Microsoft will release a Service Pack every time the patch is released to a certain number. You can go to the X:\WINDOWS\system32 folder to check it out. Some system files have been upgraded to SP2 in your usual UP. Service Pack includes all the previous upgrade information, and may also add some new features. Therefore, SP2 includes SP1, and all upgrade patch information released later. When upgrading to SP2, the recommended method is to directly upgrade from the original version to SP2, which can reduce a lot of junk files. Similarly, if you want to engrave a SP2 installation CD yourself, the recommended integration method is the original + SP2.