Windows XP SP1 Beta 1 Released to Testers

BetaNews | at | by Mike

Microsoft on Wednesday made available to testers the first beta of Service Pack 1 for Windows XP Home and Professional editions. Company officials downplayed reports of a radical upgrade, calling SP1 "in most ways a traditional service pack" that is slated to include security fixes, compatibility updates and new drivers issued since XP's launch last October. Over 10,000 beta testers will be given access to download the SP1 beta starting today.

"Of note, included in the security updates will be fixes developed during the security push done by the entire Windows division as part of Microsoft's renewed emphasis on security for customers," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews. "In addition to these traditional elements, Microsoft is fulfilling its commitment to implement the changes required by the consent decree signed with the Department of Justice and nine settling states."