Microsoft Delays Service Pack 2 Auto Update For Businesses

The new schedule outlined in the E-mail listed Aug. 25 as the date for release of Service Pack 2 to Automatic Update for users of Windows XP Professional. That's the same day Microsoft will post Service Pack 2 on Windows Update, where users can manually retrieve it.

Users running Windows XP Home Edition, which has more limited networking features, will start getting the update on Wednesday if their computers are set to receive automatic updates, Windows product manager John Murchinson said Tuesday.

Microsoft has told companies it's important to test the upgrade before deploying it throughout their networks, Murchinson told The Associated Press. Earlier, the company released a list of about 50 software applications found to have problems working with SP2.

"We've gotten some feedback that some corporate customers need additional time to complete that additional testing," Murchinson said.

The delay likely won't bother many businesses, which are busy testing the upgrade before rolling it out to desktops. Analysts have generally recommended caution on Service Pack 2 as well. Last week, for instance, Gartner analysts advised businesses to wait at least two months before deploying the update.