Windows XP SP2 AU Block Soon To Be Removed

When Windows XP SP2 was released in August 2004, Microsoft blocked the Windows Automatic Update and Windows Update from automatically serving the SP to all and sundry. Well, this blocking is soon going to end. For organisations that have already updagraded to SP2, this is no big deal - but if you haven't and if you have users that rely on AU - be prepared!

From mail I've had today "Beginning 12 April 2005 this temporarily blocking mechanism will expire and systems with Automatic Update enabled or interactively download SP2 via Windows Update will begin receiving SP2. Note that this is also the scheduled day for the monthly cumulative release of security updates. We strongly encourage customers to take the appropriate steps to implement SP2 deployment decisions by that time.

April patching day is going to be an interesting one!