Installing Windows XP's Service Pack 1

by Andy Rathbone, author of Windows XP For Dummies

Windows XP comes with its share of defects: security issues, compatibility problems, instabilities, and other general purpose bugs. Luckily, Microsoft's repair process doesn't require a trip to their offices. Microsoft simply releases a patch or Hotfix — a small piece of software that fixes the problem when run. Windows Update, a built-in program, sends a pop-up message, seen below in Figure 1, telling you when Microsoft's released yet another patch.

Microsoft has released dozens of patches for Windows XP since its release last year. To simplify matters, Microsoft recently combined them all into one huge program, tossed in some fixes for Internet Explorer 6, and dubbed it, "Service Pack 1."

Receiving Service Pack 1

Windows XP Service Pack 1 contains all of the patches released for Windows XP from October 2001 to mid-August 2002. Although Service Pack 1 is easily accessible from Microsoft's Web Site, it's a whopping 30MB download. Cable or DSL modem users can grab the Service Pack in a few minutes, but dial-up Internet users face a 90-minute download.

For a fee, Microsoft's Web site also offers it as a mail-order CD. Service Pack 1 is a worthwhile install, even if you think you've already grabbed and installed all the updates issued during the past year.

The Service Pack's most noticeable change

After installing the Service Pack, you probably won't notice any visual changes except for something new in the Control Panel's Add or Remove Programs area. Because of a recent U.S. court judgment, Microsoft now allows computer vendors to replace some Windows programs with programs by other manufacturers. A new Windows XP computer may come with "Netscape" to browse the Web, for instance, instead of Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

If you prefer Microsoft's programs to their replacements, Microsoft's programs are easily retrievable. Open the Control Panel's Add or Remove Programs icon and choose the new "Set Program Access and Defaults" icon. The resulting window, seen in Figure 2, lets you choose between three new options:

• Microsoft Windows: Choose this option to use Microsoft's programs. If your computer isn't using the Windows programs described in Windows XP For Dummies, this option places them back onto Windows menus.

• Non-Microsoft: Choose this option to hide Microsoft's programs from your menus and substitute the alternate programs installed by your computer vendor.

• Custom: Choosing this option brings you the most control. You may select which programs you'll use — some of Microsoft's and some of the substitutes installed by your computer vendor.

The four Microsoft programs that might be replaced include your Web browser (Internet Explorer), e-mail program (Outlook Express), media player (Windows Media Player, and instant messenger (Windows Messenger).

If you're reasonably satisfied with how your computer handles those four program areas, don't bother fiddling around in here. This option exists for people who want their computer to use a different program for some or all of those four tasks.

In fact, many new Windows XP computers don't offer any alternative programs. Most manufacturers haven't bothered to replace Microsoft's programs.

But if your new computer comes with replacement programs, this area of the Control Panel lets you decide which programs you want to use.

Do you have Service Pack 1 installed?

To see if your computer has Service Pack 1 installed, click the Start button, right-click My Computer and choose Properties. If your computer doesn't have the words "Service Pack" in the System section, your computer doesn't have the Service Pack installed.

Even after installing the Service Pack, be sure to visit Windows Update, as described in Windows XP For Dummies. Microsoft constantly patches holes in Windows XP, releasing them nearly every week.

Andy Rathbone can be reached at his Web site, http://www.andyrathbone.com.