Here we are again with the latest Build of WinXP SP2 but this time its finaly reaching final stages of beta testing. Release Candidate 1 has been released for all official testers.

You may download the express intaller from GeekNewz using the link below. All official testers can go download the full 273mb file from the official site.

Microsoft has updated the Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 document

This document focuses on the changes in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and its implications for developers. Examples and details are provided for several of the technologies that are experiencing the biggest changes. Future versions of this document will cover all new and changed technologies.

Microsoft has updated the Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit 3.0

The Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) version 3.0 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 contains the tools and documentation you need to design, deploy, and support applications on these platforms.

Mertsch in our forum has ripped Windows Media Player 9.0 build 3124 from the lastest windows XP SP2 beta for your downloading pleasure.

If you have a Mirror don't forget to post a link!

Thanks to Neobond over at Neowin.net for the heads up!

I just got my monthly round-up of security alerts from Microsoft in my email and I thought I'd share it here seeing as Neowin is focused on keeping our readership up to date as far as securing your internet enabled devices goes. This month's security updates address newly discovered issues in Microsoft(R) Windows(R), Microsoft Office, and MSN(R) Messenger.

Thanks to Tim @ Majorgeeks.com for the Heads up! Microsoft has never released a service pack for Windows98 SE. But I made a Service Pack for Windows98 SE users. It contains all Windows98 SE updates from WindowsUpdate site and more.

MSN Messenger is an instant messaging program that lets you send instant messages with cool emoticons, send pictures and other files to your friends, call a phone anywhere in the world from your computer, see when someone is typing a message to you, page a contact's mobile phone, and much more.

Office XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) provides the latest updates to Microsoft Office XP. SP3 contains significant security enhancements, in addition to stability and performance improvements. This service pack applies to any level of Office XP. It contains all updates included in Office XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Office XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), and updates released after SP2.

The MSN Sandbox is the place to play with some new technologies at MSN. It is a chance to experiment and peek behind the scenes at some new ideas.

TheCrucible.ca has just posted an article comparing several versions of windows, including the newly leaked SP2 Build 2082. Many benchmarks are included! Here's a snip.

With Windows XP SP2 and Windows XP Reloaded just around the corner, we thought we would bring you a little sneak peak at what new features, and what to expect from these new releases. We managed to wrangle up a copy of SP2 Build 2082. This will be one of the last interim builds before SP2 is released within the next two months.

Even though the next generation Windows product is not due until late 2005 or even 2006, here's a look at what Microsoft has in store for us. For those of you that are lucky enough to have snagged a copy, remember this, Build 4053 is still a baby, not even in Beta stage yet, so this review will not go in depth into subjects such as the theme, sidebar, etc.

Thanks to the guy's at the other batcave WinOScentral for the Info:

I was just answering a question in the forums about Windows prefetch and ran across a nice little VBS script which you can cut and paste into notepad, save it as a .vbs file, then save it to a directory on your computer and then run the "Task Scheduler" wizard and have this file run once a month so you don't have to worry about your prefetch cache getting to large.

NeoWin reports that only minutes ago Microsoft changed the layout to its internal MSN Messenger homepage, which seems to be related to the release of MSN Messenger 6.2! The exact date of arrival can be found on the new, rather orange (coincident?) pages: Thursday, April 08, 2004.

According to sources at Iexbeta, the latest known build of Longhorn [build 4053] has finally leaked!

IpKonfig have thrown up their look at the newest build 2082 of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP.

The last build version we chipped away at was 2055. The latest is 2082, with a much closer look at the (somewhat) final release due out within the next two months. Previously we showed screen shots of some changes, and so too are we again. However, these screen shots indicate more of a custom finish to the Windows Security features in Service Pack 2.

On friday the 16th of april, Microsoft introduces a new member to the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer-family. Inspired by Cyberscapes, Digital Rhytmic, Movement, Mechanisms, Layering and X-ray Microsoft brings us the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer - Night Vision. The mouse is identical to the other Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer mice and has the same specifications including Tilt Wheel Technology, Enhanced Grip, Ergonomic Design, 5 Customizable Buttons and Optical/wireless interface.

The launch price will be 75-80USD. A picture can be found Here Best Regards. fuze, HardwareOnline.dk

It's large in size because the network install file contains the updates for Media Center Edition, Media Center Edition 2004 and updates Tablet PC to version 2004. It will only install these vpdates on PCs running XPMCE or XPTPC. Express is going to be the way to go for the average end user.

WinBoard hat nach dem Windows XP SP1 Update Pack 1.5 nun auch Update Packs für Windows 98/98SE/2000. Bei dem Packet für Windows 98/98SE handelt es sich um die Version 1.0, beim Packet zur Windows 2000 um die Version 1.6.
Die Packete funktionieren nur mit den deutschen Versionen von Windows. Als Voraussetzung zur Installation des Windows 2000 Update Pack 1.6 wird das aktuelle Service Pack 4 und das aktuelle Serivce Pack 1 zum Internet Explorer 6 benötigt. Beim Windows 98/98SE Update Pack 1.0 wird nur das aktuelle Serive Pack 1 zum Internet Explorer 6 benötigt. Klickt auf 'mehr' um an die Links zu kommen.

These videos show how Longhorn can be used in different industries while more Concept Videos will be coming soon.

How can Longhorn's new platform technologies help you deliver solutions in your particular industry? Watch video demonstrations as Carter Maslan from Microsoft's Platform Strategy and Partner Group highlights some of the work being done in various industries to create a new class of connected applications.

Thanks to Creamhackered over at Neowin.net for the Info:

We've received some information and screenshots on Yukon Beta 2. It seems Microsoft has been working steadily on Yukon since it's release to testers in July 2003. That was Beta 1 and this is Beta 2. We're not sure if this build (2000.090.0757.00) was the first build to be tagged Beta 2 but according to documentation and the installer screenshots we've received it's definitely Beta 2. Included in this build is the .NET Framework 2.0 which has previously only been available for Longhorn.