WinXP SP2 RC1
Today is the second day that I am using Windows XP SP2 Preview (RC1) on my home pc and laptop. Microsoft has warned that it would be incompatible with some applications because of massive changes that MS made into this service pack. In fact SP2 is mostly focused on security, and this causes major changes to OS functionality and as a result some older apps may not work.
For me, everything worked just fine after upgrade. And the result was impressive. Though the installation took more than half hour, but it turned my XP into a new OS. Windows Firewall (which is a new feature, descendent of ICF) is more serious than the old ICF. Its more like a stripped down version of zone alaram. The next good thing was the new patch management and new windows update website which almost forces you to install the latest patches. and the new “Security Center” watches your system health and antivirus program to be in most secure mode.
There are many many changes that I can’t explain and I really recommend you to give it a try on your test machine.
Neil Turner has done a very good job by reviewing XP2 with some screen shots and good explanations.
