Windows Server 2003 SP1 & Server/Pro x64 Edition Released to Manufacturing

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REDMOND, Wash. -- March 30, 2005 -- Microsoft Corp. today released to manufacturing Microsoft® Windows Server? 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

They are available on http://www.microsoft.com as well as through the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).

Also today, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition were released to manufacturing and will be available through various partners in late April.

Read More - http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/mar05/03-30winservsp1pr.asp



REDMOND, Wash. -- March 30, 2005 -- Microsoft Corp. today released to manufacturing Microsoft® Windows Server? 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1). This unique service pack provides customers with significant security enhancements as well as reliability and performance improvements. Building on a comprehensive collection of security updates, Service Pack 1 addresses additional core security issues by providing customers with a reduced attack surface, better protected system services with stronger default settings, and reduced privileges.

"With Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, our development team took the time to treat the root cause of many security issues, not just the symptoms. This service pack is very significant and should help address certain classes of exploits," said Bob Muglia, senior vice president of the Windows Server Division at Microsoft. "Service Pack 1 is a major component of our overall strategy to help keep customers as secure as possible. I encourage all of our Windows Server 2003 customers to deploy Service Pack 1."

"IDC research consistently finds that customers look forward to a first service pack after a product release to bolster the security of the Windows environment," said Al Gillen, research director for system software at IDC. "In the case of Windows Server 2003 SP1, Microsoft has brought forward not just the normal collection of updates, but several tools that promote more-secure network configuration and a streamlined way to administer the latest security releases."

Service Pack 1 Offers Customers New Security Enhancements

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 provides new functionality to address known security vulnerabilities and prepares companies to better face future security threats. These new technologies include the following:

* Security Configuration Wizard. Customers can more easily reduce attack surface area with the new Security Configuration Wizard. The tool reduces the attack surface by gathering information about specific server roles, then automatically blocking all services and ports not needed to perform those roles.
* Windows Firewall. Customers can increase their security with the new Windows® Firewall on the server, allowing networkwide control through Group Policy. Also released with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Firewall serves as a host (software) firewall around each client and server computer on a customer's network.
* Post-Setup Security Updates (PSSU). Servers are vulnerable during the time between their installation and application of the latest security updates. In response, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 blocks all inbound connections to the server after installation until Windows Update has delivered the latest security updates to the new computer...

Also today, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition were released to manufacturing and will be available through various partners in late April.

Read More - http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/mar05/03-30winservsp1pr.asp