I've just spotted this on on IB Elite :-) This Windows feature notifies you when critical updates are available for your computer. This feature replaces Critical Update Notification if it is already installed. Critical Update Notification will no longer offer critical updates. Download now to receive notifications of critical Windows updates. Press Read More for further info.

Bink @ WindowsXP.nu got his hands on the Service Pack 1 beta build 1050 and gave it to IEXBeta.

While the download is only 1.7 megs, I am sure you will have to download another 100 megs before you have it installed. Hit read more for the download link!

Neowin.net have got their hands on a collection of screenshots regarding the recently released Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows XP.

As suspected by many, it deals with some anti-trust issues; they give the option to customize aspects of windows such as the messenging, media and internet elements and my friend bink; he has informed me of a few new developments. On his site, he shows you can install SP1 on the corporate edition or with your dubiously aquired license numbers. Also, he is offering the ripped version of MSN messenger from SP1 - 4.7. It also has lots more screenshots for you to peruse there.

This update addresses the "WMI AccessCheck Receives Local Administrator's SID" issue in Windows XP, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article Q320678. Download now to avoid using the Administrator SID with WMI AccessCheck Method. Read More. BTW, this is our 5000th news post!!!

This update addresses the "Windows Management Instrumentation Cannot Register Permanent Event Consumer with Dynamic Class" issue in Windows XP, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article Q319322. Download now to allow registration of permanent consumers. Read More...

When you try to open a file through a network share by using the SMB protocol, the file may take a long time to open. This problem can occur when a Windows XP client also has the file open and owns the oplock to the file. It does not respond to the oplock break request, and because of this, the server waits until the request times out and the other client has to wait for that. Download now to prevent a possible request time out.

After you connect to a Web site, you may receive an error message. After you receive the error message, you cannot use Search Companion to search for files or folders, or to search the Internet. The options to search for files or folders, or to search the Internet, are unavailable. Download now to prevent the error message from occurring.

REDMOND, Wash. -- June 3, 2002 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of Microsoft® Office v. X Service Release 1 (Office v. X SR 1) and MSN® Messenger 3.0 for Mac. The performance improvements, updates, new features and fixes featured across the entire suite of Office v. X SR 1 applications -- including Word X, Excel X, PowerPoint® X and Entourage? X -- make them must-have downloads for all users of Office v. X who want the best and most seamless computing experience possible. MSN Messenger 3.0 for Mac is a greatly improved version of Microsoft's popular instant messaging application developed for Mac OS X, with several new features and improved reliability and performance. Also announced today, Microsoft will provide, in a separate but related offering, a component to enable synchronization between Palm operating system-based handheld devices and Entourage X as a free* download starting July 15.

I saw this @ Neowin and this is what they said: This is much smaller than the previous leak, which weighed in at approx 30mb, the installer is just 205kb, and the total download is normally 9mb or under. Update: Added 2 new download links Click on Read More... for a download link

It looks like SP1 XP has been released internally. Beta testing is said to start today. And english and german versions are scheduled for a release on August 14th, 2002. We thank Steven Bink, a Windows 2000 MCSE from Amsterdam, The Netherlands for the heads up. Read more... (but take it with a grain of salt)

New beta of Service Pack 3 of Windows 2000 is available for download. This version corrects many bugs and brings in more: "Configure Programs". Update: Someone submitted news and this is what he said:
I just managed to log onto the swamped ftp server containing the latest SP3 package for Win2K, and guess what - it's empty Click on Read More... for a download link to the Service Pack.

Just saw this @ Neowin.net.

Another new MSN Explorer Build 7.02.0005.1700 has been released. This one yet again contains "Minor Enhancements were made through MSN Explorer" fix. One day maybe we will get detailed bug fixes.

Neowin.net have the latest info about what's new in Windows 2000 SP3 RC build 3.140. Looks like a worthy update when finished. Some more info:

Some changes include Windows Installer (MSI) was updated from 1.3 (SP2 level) to 2.0 rendering some installers completely useless (Trend Micro? PC-cillin 2000 are affected).

Others are a direct response to Security concerns and implementation of fixes ASAP with the addition of Automatic Updates to the Control Panel of Windows 2000. This feature was limited to Windows Millennium & Windows XP respectively but has now found its way into Windows 2000 through SP3 making this as significant as SP3 was to Windows NT 4.0 in its day. Here's a Screenshot: of the Configure Programs within Add/Remove in Windows 2000 SP3!

Just saw this @ good old Neowin.net.

Microsoft have got their thumbs out from wherever they were and released what they are calling Pre RC SP3 for Windows 2000. This would indicate at least a Release Candidate before release is expected in early summer (June we thought, but hey!).

It simply says: NEWS May 28th, 2002: We are pleased to release the SP3 Release Candidate (RC).

This update resolves the "Authentication Flaw in Windows Debugger can Lead to Elevated Privileges" security vulnerability in Windows 2000. This vulnerability is the result of a flaw in the authentication mechanism for the Windows debugging facility that allows unauthorized program can gain access to the debugger. Download now to prevent a malicious user from gaining elevated privileges through the debugging facility, and then running code of her choice on your computer.

When navigating through the options menu with the InterActual DVD playback application included with some DVD Video titles, users may experience difficulty viewing the extra features (ie photo gallery) on these DVDs. Download now to prevent these issues from possibly occurring.

Just saw this @ Xp-erience.org.

They just recieved an email from the Betaplace telling me DirectX9 Beta 1 is available.

The DirectX is now a Web-base setup application for installing the end-user runtime. It is basically like windows Update which minimizes the download size to only the DirectX components your system requires.

I managed to get hold of a Microsoft Power Point Presentation on the the new to be released DirectX9, which you can download from the link below, it tells of all the new features and technologies of DirectX9.

At our german site Planet-XP they have some screenshot of the leaked Direct X 9.0 Beta 1. Click on Read More... for a link to see the screenshots.

Just saw on NeoWin and this is what they said:
As expected, Microsoft has released a brand-new build of the upcoming Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 1 to its lucky testers! Despite other minor improvements, build 2800.1041 also incorporates the security update that has been issued for previous versions of Microsoft's web-browser on May 15. Click on Read More... for a download link.

Microsoft(R) DirectX (R) 9.0 SDK (Thanks Voodoo from Neowin for sending me the file!)

This is the Beta 1 Release of Microsoft's DirectX 9.0 Software Development Kit (SDK). It contains all DirectX software required to create DirectX 9.0 compliant applications.

Major components include: DirectX 9.0 system components (runtimes); DirectX 9.0 Application Programming Interface (API) Documentation for each of the DirectX core areas (written for C++, C#, or Visual Basic developers); DirectX 9.0 headers & libraries; Sample applications and source code; miscellaneous tools and utilities.