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A notice on Microsoft's TechNet page reminds users, specifically Windows XP users, that the grace period for delaying the download of Service Pack 2 expires on April 12, 2005.

After this date, Microsoft will send out SP2 packs to XP computers that don't have it. Their note says:

UPDATE: Time is running out! Please note that the mechanism to temporarily disable delivery of Windows XP SP2 is only available for a period of 240 days (8 months) from August 16, 2004. At the end of this period (after April 12, 2005), Windows XP SP2 will be delivered to all Windows XP and Windows XP Service Pack 1 systems.

Coinciding with Microsoft's expressed interest in improving the security to their products, once the grace period ends, users with Automatic Update and Windows Update turned on will find copies of SP2 on their computer, waiting to be installed. The thinking for this, according to Microsoft, is:

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) contains major security improvements designed to provide better protection against hackers, viruses, and worms. Windows XP SP2 also improves the manageability of the security features in Windows XP and provides more and better information to help users make decisions that may potentially affect their security and privacy.

Because of these significant improvements, Microsoft views Windows XP SP2 as an essential security update and is therefore distributing it as a "critical update" via Windows Update (WU) and the Automatic Updates (AU) delivery mechanism in Windows. Microsoft strongly urges customers with Windows XP and Windows XP Service Pack 1-based systems to update to Windows XP SP2 as soon as possible.

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