TweakTown compared the performance of Windows Vista SP1 vs Vista SP2 Release Candidate

"We managed to get hold of a copy of Windows Vista SP2 RC (Release Candidate) from Microsoft and decided to put it through its paces against Vista SP1 to see if consumers can expect to see any performance improvements in the latest service pack for the struggling Vista operating system.

Release Candidate or RC simply means that it is a possible final version for Microsoft to release to the public sometime soon after. Many previews of the Vista SP2 BETA were published toward the end of last year, but this is build 6002.16659.090114-1728 – a newer release which is likely to yield some improvements."

>> Windows Vista SP1 vs Vista SP2 Release Candidate Performance

Tech ARP posted some news on the release schedule of Windows Vista Service Pack 2

"We have news of the upcoming Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista! Microsoft is doing their best to rush out Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista so there will be additional incentive for folks to upgrade to Window Vista now, instead of waiting for Windows 7. So the latest schedule should come as no surprise.

HOT NEWS! Microsoft just brought forward their release schedule of Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista! Check it out!"

>> Windows Vista Service Pack 2's Latest Release Schedule

InfoWorld posted a news story that Microsoft warned users of Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) again that they may not be able to uninstall either the service pack or Internet Explorer 8 (IE8).

"The warning, made by Jane Maliouta, a Microsoft program manager as the company delivered Release Candiate 1 (RC1) on Monday, was a repeat of a caution she gave last August when Microsoft launched the browser's second beta."

>> Microsoft repeats IE8 lock-in warning for XP users with SP3

InfoWorld posted a news story that Microsoft has delayed Windows Vista SP2

"Microsoft has delayed Windows Vista SP2 (Service Pack 2) by at least a month, and will now ship it to manufacturing sometime in May or June, according to a Web site that has accurately predicted Windows release dates in the past."

>> Microsoft delays Vista SP2, says report

Some PC makers now have an extra four months to sell Windows XP

"The BBC reported Monday that Microsoft has extended the deadline for smaller PC builders and resellers to obtain licenses for the discontinued operating system from the previous deadline of January 31, 2009 to May 30, 2009."

>> Microsoft grants Windows XP a reprieve

Neowin reports that Windows Vista & Server SP2 Beta has been released to the testers

"Microsoft have made available build v6002-16497 of Service Pack 2 for both Windows Vista and Server 2008 to testers late last night. The bits show a compile date of October 17th and weigh in on average around the 3 Gigabyte mark.

Early reports show that the build has a smaller memory footprint, you can find more discussion here on our forums, we'll update this post when more information becomes available."

>> Windows Vista & Server SP2 Beta Released to Testers

Microsoft has released an update for Windows XP to resolve an issue that is caused by revised daylight saving time laws

"Install this update to resolve an issue that is caused by revised daylight saving time laws in many countries."

>> Download for 32-bit
>> Download for 64-bit

Microsoft has released an update for Windows XP to resolve an issue in VBScript/JScript scripts

"Install this update to resolve an issue in VBScript/JScript scripts from CScript\WScript hosts, certain built-ins may not function correctly when Standards and Formats"

>> Update for Windows XP (KB951978)

Microsoft has released an update for Windows XP to resolve an issue in PStore

"Install this update to resolve an issue in which protected storage (PStore) uses a lower quality cryptographic function when the system locale is set to French (France)."

>> Download for 32-bit
>> Download for 64-bit

Microsoft has released a new security update for Windows XP

"A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to remotely compromise your Windows-based system using Windows Media file formats and gain control over it."

>> Security Update for Windows XP (KB941569)

APC Magazine published an article on TinyXP

"One of the annoyances with installing a fresh copy of Windows XP these days is that the driver set is six years out of date, and there’s been a LOT of new hardware emerge since then. It’s one thing to install the latest graphics driver, but it’s another to have to set up everything from the chipset to the storage drivers. Sometimes you feel that after having spent half an hour installing XP, you’re spending twice that much time again to just get it functional."

>> Pirated Windows more impressive than the real thing

InsideHW.com has posted a comparison review between Windows XP SP3 and SP2

"Microsoft came out with latest service pack for XP, four years after SP2 was released. XP itself is very stabile system with SP2 installed, so SP3 is considered as not so innovative like it was SP2. The essence of this service pack is to bring all patches for XP that are released until now. Beside patches attended for safety of your OS, SP3 also contains few new additions that should provide better network collaboration, easier administration etc."

>> Windows XP SP3 vs. SP2

Saw over at Neowin.net that Microsoft has extended Windows XP support until 2014

"Microsoft has finally given in to public demand. The company has decided to offer technical support for Windows XP with updates and security patches for an extended period until April 2014. However, it will not go back on its decision to discontinue Windows XP sales after June 30."

>> Windows XP Support Extended until 2014

Microsoft has released an update to use new Terminal Services features on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2

"Install this update to use new Terminal Services features on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2 connecting to computers that are running either Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 operating systems."

>> Update for Windows XP (KB952155)

Microsoft Monday laid to rest rumors that it might reconsider pulling Windows XP from retail shelves and most PC makers next Monday.

"In a letter to customers, Bill Veghte, the senior vice president who leads the company's online and Windows business groups, reiterated June 30 as the deadline when Microsoft halts shipments of boxed copies to retailers and stops licensing the OS directly to OEMs."

>> Read more

Microsoft has released an update for Windows XP to use new Terminal Services features

"Install this update to use new Terminal Services features on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2 connecting to computers that are running either Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 operating systems."

>> Update for Windows XP (KB952155)

Microsoft has released an update for Windows XP to to display the Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 interface on system with XP Service Pack 2

"Install this update to display the Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 interface in multiple languages on systems using Windows XP Service Pack 2."

>> Update for Windows XP (KB952230)

Tech ARP posted an editorial about High Definition Audio Support In Windows XP SP3.

"After years of development, Microsoft finally released Windows XP Service Pack 3 for downloading early last month. Earlier, we covered how the Windows XP SP3 RC didn't support high definition audio because Microsoft apparently "forgot" to add the Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) driver for High Definition Audio devices in the latest release candidate of the Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Now that the final Windows XP Service Pack 3 has been released, one, especially yours truly, wonders if it now supports high definition audio, or if Microsoft forgot to add the driver once again?"

>> High Definition Audio Support In Windows XP SP3

Microsoft has put limits on the types of PCs that can be downgraded to Windows XP after June 30, Dell said Tuesday, a restriction that means it will offer home users the option only on machines designed for gamers.

>> Microsoft calls shots on Windows XP downgrades, says Dell

Microsoft has released an update for Windows XP to resolve an issue in VBScript/JScript scripts from CScript WScript hosts

"Install this update to resolve an issue in VBScript/JScript scripts from CScript WScript hosts, certain built-ins may not function correctly when Standards and Formats� in Regional Settings� is changed. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer."

>> Update for Windows XP (KB951978)