It appears that the recently released Service Pack 4 for Windows 2000 is causing more trouble than it actually fixes things. Do not see this as an attempt to knock SP4 and tell you to not deploy it. This SP has hundreds of important security fixes, so it is important. If you are having issues you might be interested in a Microsoft KB article that lists about 33 possible updates that may be the cause for your problems.

Julio Franco at TechSpot sends word that their OS Updates Page has been updated with some of the most important additions over the last month. Among the most recent updates are fixes for a flaw in Windows Message Handling through Utility Manager Could Enable Privilege Elevation; Buffer Overrun in Windows Could Lead to Data Corruption updates for XP/2000 & Buffer Overrun in the HTML Converter Could Allow Code Execution updates for all OSes. All Windows XP users are also invited to check out our own Windows XP Post SP1 Updates article.

Neowin.net sends word that they've found out that a new version of Windows MSN Messenger 6 is available - build 0503.

A new and improved version of Microsoft's popular instant messaging client has been released today. It seems the official release marked for a weeks time has either been put forward to now or this build has been released by mistake! This version is still compatible with Messenger Plus! and an ad-patcher will follow for those who don't use Messenger Plus!.

Microsoft has released a new build of Windows Media Player 9 - 9.0.0.3014. When the Windows Media Player 9 Series starts, it updates the radio preset list from the Internet. In certain enterprise scenarios, the network administrator may want to restrict this behavior. A new Group Policy object permits an administrator to prevent the Windows Media Player 9 Series from accessing the Internet to retrieve this information.

In zwei Security Bulletins berichtet Microsoft über weitere Sicherheitslücken innerhalb von Windows. Während das eine Sicherheitsleck bei der Anzeige einer Webseite oder HTML-Mail auftritt und somit den Internet Explorer betrifft, benötigt man zum Ausnutzen des anderen Sicherheitslochs einen lokalen Zugang zum betreffenden Rechner. Microsoft selbst stuft beide Sicherheitslecks als gefährlich ein. mehr

Here's a few Microsoft Windows security issue that have been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Microsoft® Windows! Thanks to Neowin.net

823559: Security Update for Microsoft Windows 98 Windows XP Update: Windows Error Reporting Update Flaw in Windows Message Handling through Utility Manager - Windows 2000 Buffer Overrun in Windows Could Lead to Data Corruption - Windows NT4.0/2000/XP Buffer Overrun In HTML Converter Could Allow Code Execution - Windows NT4.0/2000/XP/2003 These will be added to our Windows XP Updates article tomorrow.

Microsoft has released four new Internet Explorer 6 updates applicable to the Service Pack 1 version. Only two of these need to be applied though, as the 2 left overs update the same file. The updates cover the follwing topics: Connections No Longer Use Local Area Network Automatic Configuration and Proxy Settings
(Wininet.dll: 6.0.2800.1187) Windows Media Player Cannot Play Streaming Media If There Are Two Remote Access Connections
(Wininet.dll: 6.0.2800.1175) Additional Prompts for a Client Certificate with Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1
(Wininet.dll: 6.0.2800.1149) OnChange Event Fires Unexpectedly When You Tab Out of a Text Area for the First Time
(Mshtml.dll: 6.0.2800.1184) You can find details and download links here.

Flexbeta presents today's download of the day, Windows Server 2003 SP1 1023. Yea we know, it was just a couple of months ago when Windows Server 2003 was RTM and now a Service Pack? For those interested in beta testing this 117 MB gem, grab yourself a copy from the links provided. Go on and don't be shy.

Tech-Critic.com sends word they've snagged an early build of MSN Explorer 9.0 build 9.00.0006.1700 for download.

Our colleagues on Winbeta.Org found a build of the upcoming Service Pack 1 for the new Server Familiy... Read more...

Just spotted this bit of Info at Winbeta.org:

Now, with the official Tech Refresh build #5329 out, many people have patched 4920 to update it to #5329. Well, rather than force you to download 4920 and then the patch, we decided a true iso of 5329 was in order. We gathered them up, tossed them in a rather large, leakproof (unlike the memory in LongHorn) cauldron, and a flick and swish of a wand with a clearly pronounced Combienus voila! We produce for your delight and testing, the AIO (All In One) cd containing the isos for all the #5329 products from Office System 2003.

Our colleagues at www.Winfuture.de found a new Patch for XP that fixes a problem with Outlook Express. Read more... Note: The Patch is only available in german at this time. If anybody has the english one, please inform us.

After months of speculations, if there could be a Longhorn Server Edition, we know the truth. Read more...

USBMan reports that USB 2.0 and Wireless Internet Connectivity for Windows 2000 are among the 650 + features and fixes of Service Pack 4 released to the public on Thursday, June 26, 2003. Microsoft and hundreds of Beta Testers have been working since October of 2002 on this project, testing no less than 5 refreshes of this the latest service pack. The culmination of of this 9 month joint effort is the Final Release Version of Windows 2000 Service Pack 4.

Just at this moment I received info from our colleagues at Winfuture.de that the German Final SP4 could also be downloaded by the Betatesters. It seems to be only a matter of time untill the public could download it. Read more...

There are five versions of the Jet 4.0 SP7 download. The first download is only for computers that are running Windows 98 or Windows NT 4.0. The second download is only for computers that are running Windows 2000. The third download is only for computers that are running Windows Millennium Edition. The fourth download is only for computers that are running Windows XP. The fifth download is only for computers that are running Windows Server 2003. Each download contains updated versions of several .dll files that are included with Access 2002, Microsoft Office XP Developer, Microsoft Visual Basic version 6.0 or later, and other Microsoft products that incorporate Jet database engine 4.0.

Microsoft has released a new build of Windows Media Player 9 - 9.0.0.3008. This was necessary to fix a security issue. With Windows Media Player 9 Series, a flaw in an ActiveX control might permit a Web page to gain access to your Media Library. An attacker who exploits this flaw can gain access only to manipulate the Media Library on your computer. The attacker cannot browse your hard disk and cannot gain access to passwords or encrypted data. Also, the attacker cannot modify actual files on the hard disk; the attacker can modify only the contents of the Media Library entries for those files.

Today we have a new patch for all Intel users that also run digital video cards, like the Hauppauge brand. It updates Stream.sys to build 5.3.2600.1164. It's last update was included in DirectX 9. Read more...

Just at the moment I received the information from an anonymous user, that Service Pack 4 for Windows 2000 is available from Microsoft. The Microsoft Homepage has not been updated yet.

According to NeoWin the Ntoskrnl.exe is v5.0.2195.6717. There are 2 different versions available:

Network Install (130 MB)
Express Install (600 K)
SP4 Fixlist

I brought you the Windows XP Network Fix, that was unleashed on June, 23rd by me. I now have a new Windows XP patch ready, which is also only available to MS Premium Support members. There were 3 older patches listed here, that I removed because you can get hold of newer versions via Windows Update. If you want you can download the new USB 2.0 update from my private account.