Microsoft on Wednesday released the first Beta of Service Pack 2 for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x64 Professional to private testers. Would-be participants have to apply for the beta via Microsoft’s Connect Web site.
Participation requires installation of the software, application testing, answering surveys, reporting bugs, and providing feedback. Microsoft expects this to require a few hours per week and the beta test is planned to run through the summer. Service Pack 2 is due in the second half of this year.
Microsoft describes Service Pack 2 as consisting of all security updates, all individual hotfixes released to customers and fixes to reduce top customer support issues as well as increase reliability, robustness, and security.
Also included is the Windows Server 2003 Scalable Networking Pack, which is designed to increase networking performance. It will also be the first service pack for 64-bit Windows XP.
