Manage updates with the Download AppMicrosoft Windows XP SP2
Manufacturer: Microsoft Part number: N09-00984
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- We recommend installing Windows XP SP2 but only after Microsoft has had a few weeks to work out the kinks.
Read more
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CNET editors' review
Microsoft Windows XP SP2 price range: $56.99 - $199.99
- Reviewed by: Matt Lake
- Edited by: Matthew Elliott
- Reviewed on: 08/11/2004
- Released on: 08/06/2004
The good: New firewall; pop-up ad blocker for Internet Explorer; new Security Center makes managing security apps easier.
The bad: Created conflicts with our notebook's wireless connection; some security enhancements won't work with current Intel hardware; firewall lacks important features; download too large for dial-up users, and CDs will take weeks to arrive once they're available.
The bottom line: We recommend installing Windows XP SP2 but only after Microsoft has had a few weeks to work out the kinks.
User reviews
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Disaster for the Average User
by bls745 on May 9, 2005
Pros: Better Security
Cons: Compromised Many Programs
Summary: I finally agreed to update after endless nags from Microsoft for SP2. Immediately I had problems from e mail to Word and constant security clearance screens. So I removed SP2. ...
Summary: I finally agreed to update after endless nags from Microsoft for SP2. Immediately I had problems from e mail to Word and constant security clearance screens. So I removed SP2. Wrong thing to do. It rendered my whole system inoperable, I had to pay $200 to Advanced Software Support through Dell to reload Windows. I almost lost my data as well as even the safe boot system was inoperable for awhile. Admittedly, I'm not a tech expert but I'm not a novice either and all I can say is stay away from it.
8 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Windows XP SP2 Gets a bad rap for no reasons
by RockMTL on April 26, 2005
Pros: All you need if used right
Cons: I haven't encountered any
Summary: I'm kind of sick and tired of hearing all the SLAMS on SP2. I figure that those who do slam it, have nothing better to do. If you're ...
Summary: I'm kind of sick and tired of hearing all the SLAMS on SP2. I figure that those who do slam it, have nothing better to do. If you're a PC or Tech WIZ fine...do what you do best, but for the mass, SP2 is what the doctor ordered...I give it a 9 instead of 10 for the simple reason that...not enough emphasis was out on...making sure that your PC is clean...clean...clean...before downloading it. If you had problems before you downloaded SP2 with your PC, SP2 is not the magic wand to fix it. I would gather thats why many people have had problems.
6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Terrible program....a disgrace to operating systems
by microchip470 on June 21, 2005
Pros: Features on ie...although still not the best browser, firewall
Cons: slow, full of bugs, creates high levels of stress and havoc, and a pain to work with
Summary: I am very displeased with this product and it’s certainly not the best operating system on the market. Maybe for people who have never seen or operated a computer ...
Summary: I am very displeased with this product and it’s certainly not the best operating system on the market. Maybe for people who have never seen or operated a computer before and idiot users, I guess windows is all right and probably seems amazing, for everyone else it's a living hell. While security has improved slightly, Microsoft still has a long way to go so that its operating system catches most threats. In addition, windows runs operations and procedures in the background without the user knowing what's going on, unless you have special programs to identify the procedures. I have friends that used this product for work and Windsows XP SP2 crashed their entire network and took a while to get the problem solved. I also had trouble just getting into my computer, I kept getting the XP blue screen of death, and my computer would shut itself down automatically. The only reason why I use this product is because windows is so popular, most of the operating systems are obsolete and not compatible with as many programs and peripherals as windows is. I have used windows since ver 3.1 and I have hoped that they would come with a better operating system, at least close to what UNIX and Linux can accomplish, but it hasn't. I am fed up with windows, and the next computer i'll buy won't have windows on it. I'll probably buy a Mac pc, which i recommend as a good alternative because they are easy to use, compatible with most peripherals and software, and is great for media. While Macs cost more than the average pc, I think it's a good investment and to enjoy a quality operating system rather than buy a cheap pc and spending the next few years wishing the people who wrote the os be shot.
6 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Works well on my new system but not on my old one
by microgoomba on May 17, 2005
Pros: Pop-up blocker for IE, improved firewall, automatic updates, Windows Media Player 9 , works well on my new system
Cons: Large file, buggy, BSoD infested, doesn't work well on my old system
Summary: I downloaded Windows XP SP2 for fixing security holes, but its still mediocre. My old system: Emachines C2160 with Windows XP Home Edition(deceased) did crash frequently while starting up ...
Summary: I downloaded Windows XP SP2 for fixing security holes, but its still mediocre. My old system: Emachines C2160 with Windows XP Home Edition(deceased) did crash frequently while starting up or on the computer and the BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) appears while on this old piece of junk. This update on my old PC is a memory hog and consumes memory and hard drive space. My new system have Windows XP Professional with SP2 and I never seen a crash on my new system and it works better. If you have an unreliable PC and you install XP SP2, you'll see many errors and blue screens, I recommend a custom-build PC or a Dell.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not recommended
by jerrylg on July 7, 2005
Pros: Works well on some sytems.
Cons: Causes problems
Summary: I installed SP2 twice using the installation CD on my new Dell computer running XP Home, and it became necessary for me to uninstall it each time. It made my ...
Summary: I installed SP2 twice using the installation CD on my new Dell computer running XP Home, and it became necessary for me to uninstall it each time. It made my system very "nervous."
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Win XP SP 2 is pretty good provided you do alot of tweaking.
by snharden on April 22, 2005
Pros: It seems pretty stable, no more BSOD's. It also doesn't crash as often as past versions.
Cons: Its a resource hog and also has alot buried deep inside most people never find out about. MS should bring more of the tools where everyone can find them.
Summary: I've migrated through all the Windows OS's from 3.1 to 95 to 98 and straight to Win XP SP 2. Its big its bulky and seems to ...
Summary: I've migrated through all the Windows OS's from 3.1 to 95 to 98 and straight to Win XP SP 2. Its big its bulky and seems to need alot more maintenance that past versions. If you don't keep the junk cleaned up it seriously slows down and programs seem to take longer and longer to open.
All that is easily remedied by vigilant maintenance. Win XP also doesn't need to be rebooted nearly as frequently as past versions. If you can do without alot of the eye candy and stop or disable alot of the services Win XP can be speeded up dramatically.
I bought a new computer with XP SP 2 preinstalled with 256MB of ram and really thought that was sufficent to run it. I then upgraded the ram to 512MB and now its just about perfect. I'm really happy with it. It took about 5 months to get it tweaked the way I want it, but now I think XP is a pretty good OS.
If you use XP right out of the box you'll find lots of little annoyances that will drive you crazy, like all the pop up tips and messages but they are all easily turned off as is the poor excuse for a firewall that MS seems to drum on about if you go to there security site.
Of course if you just don't like Win XP theres always a Mac or Linux if you can get through the learning curve. By the way I have another box with Linux Redhat that hasn't been rebooted in about 3 months, maybe thats why so many servers run Linus as there OS.
So with all that said I'd say Win XP is a big step in the right direction and can't wait for Longhorn....
One draw back to XP is the fact that MS doesn't mention all the little tweaks you can do to speed it up.2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Windows XP
by bchace on February 23, 2006
Pros: Works well
Cons: Can not get product info may not meet your max requirements
Summary: Ok I want to save everyone the trouble I just went through today!! 1st Microsoft customer service is worthless for those that already don't know!!
We upgrade my Gateway ...Summary: Ok I want to save everyone the trouble I just went through today!! 1st Microsoft customer service is worthless for those that already don't know!!
We upgrade my Gateway which runs XP home edition to 4 gigs ram as well as Hubbys Dell which runs XP Media edition. Both machinces in Bios was detecting the 4 gigs of ram but upon entering XP Home was detecting 2.36 gigs and Media 3.19 gigs. So call I call Microsoft to find out what max require of ram was for the software and If by upgrading to professional we will get the full use of our ram. NOONE could answer this I had to pay the $35 to Tech Support to find out
XP Home only can utilize 2 gigs
XP Media 3 gigs and
XP professional 4 gigs
TSK TSK Microsoft for not being able to provide customers with your system specs on you site or throughcustomer service at a free charge. Damn shame I we are held over a barrel and must continous make the Microsoft corporation Trillionaires.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Finally downloaded SP2 and it crashed my computer
by chazsmiles on November 14, 2005
Pros: The fact that it would update my system
Cons: The update that I received caused my system to crash
Summary: I thought it was really great that when I turned off my computer there was a note telling me not to turn off the system because it was receiving upgrades. ...
Summary: I thought it was really great that when I turned off my computer there was a note telling me not to turn off the system because it was receiving upgrades. The next day when I turned on the computer, it wouldn't boot and there was another note saying that a recent upgrade was causing errors which would required full system recovery. Well, the in-computer system recovery didn't work so I took my computer back to the dealer. The dealer backed up my files, formatted the hard drive and re-installed XP. Great, right? When I got home, I found out that the dealer didn't backup up any folders that had program names on them. That wouldn't have been too bad except I kept a file listing over 600 categorized music CD's and another family history file going back as far as 1875 in their program folders. Thanks, a lot, SP2.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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it is an improvement to the original win xp
by lakshminarayanan on November 1, 2005
Pros: security aspects are better covered
Cons: sp 2 takes too long a time to load
Summary: sp2 has taken care of some of the security holes in win xp. previously without sp 2, used to get tons of viruses (even with an anti virus utility on) ...
Summary: sp2 has taken care of some of the security holes in win xp. previously without sp 2, used to get tons of viruses (even with an anti virus utility on) and xp was less stable before.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not as Bad As Poeple Think
by ferty81 on February 16, 2008
Pros: Better security, overall better experience
Cons: some compatibility problems
Summary: It actually added and fixed a lot of good things. SP2 gets a bad rap for nothing, really. As for uninstallation of SP2, you could use System Restore, and why ...
Summary: It actually added and fixed a lot of good things. SP2 gets a bad rap for nothing, really. As for uninstallation of SP2, you could use System Restore, and why would you want to remove it? All these stupid compatibility issues can be eventually fixed, and it offers a better Windows XP experience.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Microsoft
- Part number: N09-00984
- Description: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition is the next version of the Windows operating system, which is designed exclusively for home computing. Windows XP Home Edition puts the exciting experiences of the digital age at your fingertips. From digital photos, music, and video to building a home network, Windows XP Home Edition brings you into the digital age with ease. Built on the solid foundation of Windows 2000, Windows XP Home Edition also sets the new standard in efficient and dependable computing. A new visual design, reliable Windows engine, and new Internet security features combine with capabilities for sharing your computer to give you the most dependable Windows operating system yet. Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides an enhanced security infrastructure that defends against viruses, worms, and hackers, along with increased manageability and control for IT professionals and an improved experience for users.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2
- Language(s) English
- License pricing Standard
- Localization English
Operating System
- License Type Complete package
- License Qty 1 user
- License Pricing Standard
- Media CD-ROM
- Package Type Retail
System Requirements
- Min Processor Type Intel Pentium - 233 MHz
- Min RAM Size 64 MB
- Min Hard Drive Space 1.5 GB
- Peripheral / Interface Devices SVGA monitor,
Mouse or compatible device,
CD-ROM
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Microsoft products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Microsoft
- Address:
One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 - Phone: 1-425-882-8080
- Fax: 1-425-706-7329
