Windows XP Service Pack 1 released

Nearly a year after the official release of its latest operating system last October, Microsoft has released the first service pack, or major update, for Windows XP. Service Pack 1 bundles all the security and compatibility updates that were previously available via Windows Update and Window XP's automatic update utility. Service Pack 1 also makes additional fixes, which are listed on this page.

Service Pack 1 includes a few changes mandated by Microsoft's settlement of the US government's antitrust case against the company. In the new version, Windows XP can be set to hide access to the non-Windows software Microsoft bundles with the OS: Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Media Player, and Windows Messenger.

More information and download links can be found on Microsoft's site for Service Pack 1.