All Windows XP systems will be automatically upgraded to SP2

        Microsoft has begun to remind users that the deadline for the Windows XP Service Pack 2 interim program mechanism installed last year is approaching. By April 12, all temporary program mechanisms will expire and Windows XP and Windows XP SP1 systems will be automatically downloaded and upgraded. Go to Windows XP SP2.

Microsoft said: "The purpose of this notice is to remind you of the date of the upcoming deadline. At that time, regardless of the existence of the temporary program mechanism, the operating system will be automatically upgraded and Windows upgraded, all operating systems will Upgrade to Windows XP SP2."

Although Microsoft has repeatedly stressed that Windows XP SP2 is an "essential security upgrade," companies are still skeptical about the widespread use of SP2 before they thoroughly test SP2. After the introduction of Windows XP SP2, Microsoft first proposed the deadline for upgrading in mid-December 2004, and then extended it to the deadline of 8 months from the release of Windows XP SP2 in August 2004. The period of 8 months until April 12, 2005 will end.

Microsoft added: "This temporary program mechanism will be terminated as of April 12, 2005. The system will automatically activate the upgrade function or interactively download Windows XP SP2 via Windows upgrade, so the system will be upgraded to Windows XP SP2". April 12 is also the day when Microsoft releases security bulletins and patches on a scheduled schedule.