Antitrust case spurs XP makeover

Zardon · May 24, 2002, 07:33 PM

Microsoft is finalizing a major makeover for Windows XP that's intended to make it easier for consumers to choose third-party software over Microsoft's own products.

Within the next few weeks, the software giant plans to begin testing Service Pack 1 for Windows XP, the first major update to the operating system, which was launched in October.

Some of the more significant changes, such as those allowing consumers and PC makers to override Microsoft's default products, are a direct response to the continuing antitrust case against the Redmond, Wash.-based company.
The service pack will ship this summer to PC makers and will be available as a free download from the company's Web site. As previously reported, the service pack will contain bug fixes, tweaks and compatibility updates, as have similar releases for previous versions of Windows.

Microsoft executives this week said that other new changes in Service Pack 1 will comply with a November settlement that Microsoft agreed upon with the Justice Department and nine states. Nine other states and the District of Columbia are continuing with the antitrust litigation. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who is overseeing the remedy portion of the trial, has not yet approved the settlement.

by Joe Wilcox

Necrosis · May 25, 2002, 01:50 AM

Here is a bit more for our visitors of what else this service pack will do.

Quote:

And one last thing readers who're no better than they should be should bear in mind about SP1. Microsoft is going to engineer it so that it won't work on a widely-warezed activation key, which as we recall escaped form a large friend of Microsoft beginning with D. It would appear that Microsoft does not intend application of SP1 to vape systems installed using that key, but simply to freeze them where they are, and to block their ability to use Windows Update. Microsoft has used service packs to disable installations it deemed pirated in the past, and we'd guess it's decided not to do this because it might hit legit systems by mistake, or generate adverse publicity from innocent victims.

Disabling Windows Update access does however up the ante, as it'll at least make it more difficult for readers who're no better than they should be to get hold of updates and patches. Long term it is also logical for Microsoft to try to make this impossible, not just difficult, so it's an area worth watching. And lastly, Microsoft is no doubt aware of considerably more compromised keys for XP than just the one, so we'd actually be surprised if it was just the D one that got nuked in SP1. You have been warned. (Well no, not you but this guy you know, OK?) ®

The Register: MS preps all-new warez busting antitrust complying XP SP1

May 24, 2002, 07:33 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Antitrust case spurs XP makeover Microsoft is finalizing a major makeover for Windows XP that's intended to make it easier for consumers to choose third-party software over Microsoft's own products. Within the next few weeks, the software giant plans to begin testing Service Pack 1 for Windows XP, the first major update to the operating system, which was launched in October. Some of the more significant changes, such as those allowing consumers and PC makers to override Microsoft's default products, are a direct response to the continuing antitrust case against the Redmond, Wash.-based company. The service pack will ship this summer to PC makers and will be available as a free download from the company's Web site. As previously reported, the service pack will contain bug fixes, tweaks and compatibility updates, as have similar releases for previous versions of Windows. Microsoft executives this week said that other new changes in Service Pack 1 will comply with a November settlement that Microsoft agreed upon with the Justice Department and nine states. Nine other states and the District of Columbia are continuing with the antitrust litigation. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who is overseeing the remedy portion of the trial, has not yet approved the settlement. by Joe Wilcox