Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) fixes tons of BUGs, adds enhanced securityinfrastructure for defense against viruses, worms, trojans + hacking exploits, increased manageability + control and improved user experience (English):

• XP SP2 Full (Network) Install [266 MB].
• XP SP2 Express (Web) Install 1.58 MB, Setup only.
  XP SP2 Express requires an Internet connection for downloading components.
• XP SP2 Full (Network) DEBUG! Install for developers (293 MB).

XP SP2 Final RTM [build 5.1.2600.2180] installs ALL previously released Windows XP + XP Service Packs
Fixes, Patches, Updates + Hotfixes.XP SP2 New + Improved Features + Changes:

• NewWindows Security Center (WSC).
• Improved Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) renamed to Windows Firewall (WF)enabled by default to prevent incoming AND outgoing suspicious traffic.
• New DCOM + RPC protocol restrictions to prevent intrusion threats.
• Messenger Service [NOT Windows Messenger (WM)!] disabled by default.
• Improved Windows Messenger (WM) 5.0 includes unsafe file transfer protection and all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since WM 4.6.
• Improved Internet Explorer (MS IE) 6.0 SP2 includes Local Machine lockdown restrictions,Popup Blocker,Information Bar + download security warnings enabled by default and all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since MS IE 6.0 SP1.
• Improved Outlook Express (MS OE) 6.0 SP2 includes E-mail Controls, Attachment Manager and all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since MS OE 6.0 SP1.
• Improved DirectX (DX) 9.0c includes all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since DX 8.2.
• Improved Windows Media Player (WMP) 9.0 includes all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since WMP 8.0.
• Improved Movie Maker2 (MM2) 2.1 includes increased compatibility with other video and audio programs, Digital Video (DV) pass-through, Constant Bit Rate (CBR) enabled by default and all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since MM2 1.0.
• Improved Microsoft Installer (MSI) 3.0 includes all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since MSI 2.0.
• Improved Internet Information Services (IIS) 5.1 includes all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since IIS 5.0.
• Improved Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.8 includes all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since MDAC 2.6.
• Improved Jet 4.0 SP8 Database Engine includes all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since Jet 4.0 SP5.
• Improved Microsoft Scripting Engines (MSE) 5.6 include all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since MSE 5.6.
• Improved HTML Help 1.41 includes all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since HTML Help 1.40.
• New + Improved .NET Framework (NFR) 1.0 SP2 includes all cumulative security vulnerability fixes since NFR 1.0.
• Improved Automatic Windows Updates (AWU) 5.0 Service enabled by default.
• New Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wireless Network, Wireless Provisioning Services (WPS), Bluetooth Drivers + Client Side Updates.
• New 64-bit AMD + Intel CPUsData Execution Prevention (DEP) feature: AMD No-eXecute page protection (NX) + Intel eXecute Disable bit (XD).
• Changed Boot Logo title from Windows XP Professional (Home) to Windows XP.
• REMOVED Java Virtual Machine (VM)!

XP SP2 Hard Disk Space Requirements!
What to Know Before You Install XP SP2.
Order XP SP2 on CD [free].
XP SP2 Release Notes.
XP SP2 Features List.
Top 10 Reasons Why Install XP SP2.
XP SP2: New MS IE + MS OE Security Features.
List of Bugs Fixed in XP SP2.
Programs Affected by XP SP2.
Programs May Stop Working in XP SP2.
Using Programs and Hardware with XP SP2.
How to Recover from Incomplete XP SP2 Install.
How to Remove XP SP2.
How to Troubleshoot Wireless Network Connections in XP SP2.
Get PC Manufacturer Updates + Info Before Installing XP SP2.

MS TechNet:Functionality Changes in XP SP2:
Direct download [349 KB, DOC format].

MS TechNet:New Networking Features in XP SP2.

MS TechNet:Manually Configuring Firewall in XP SP2:
Direct download [943 KB, DOC format, right-click to save!].
Using Firewall INF in XP SP2 [110 KB, DOC format, right-click to save!].
Troubleshoot Windows Firewall Settings in XP SP2:
Direct download [339 KB, DOC format, right-click to save!].
Games and XP SP2 Windows Firewall.

MSDN:New Security Technologies in XP SP2.

MSDN: XP SP2 Security Information for Developers.

MS TechNet:XP SP2 Deployment Guide.

MS TechNet:XP SP2 Resources for IT Professionals.

Manage XP SP2 Features Using Group Policy:
Direct download [957 KB, DOC format, right-click to save!].
Deploy XP SP2 using Software Update Services (SUS):
Direct download [122 KB, DOC format, right-click to save!].
Application Compatibility Test Guide for XP SP2:Direct download [2.88 MB].

XP SP2 Support Tools:
Direct download [4.7 MB].
XP SP2 Support Center.
XP SP2 Support Center for IT Professionals.

XP SP2 Deployment Tools:
Direct download [1.65 MB, right-click to save!].

MS TechNet:
Block XP SP2 Automatic Delivery Through Windows Update Tools:
Direct download [96 KB].

How To Change Volume Licensing Product Key in Windows XP SP1/XP SP2.
UXTHEME.DLL Multi-Patcher for Windows XP/XP SP1/XP SP1a/XP SP2/2003.
Patched UXTHEME.DLL for Windows XP SP2 [6.0.2900.2180_EN.rar].

The Register:
WinXP SP2 = Security Placebo?
C|Net News: PC Makers: Look Before Taking SP2 Leap.
PC World: Is XP’s Fix Safe?
C|Net Reviews: Windows XP SP2 Nightmares.
WinSuperSite: XP SP2 FAQ.
WinSuperSite: XP SP2 Review.
Scot’s Newsletter: Windows XP SP2 Decisions.
Scot’s Newsletter:60 Useful Windows XP SP2 Links.
Bink: XP SP2 MSKB Articles List.
Symantec: XP SP2 Info Center.

Enterprise Systems:Top 10 XP SP2 Security Changes.
TweakTown:XP SP2 Install and Tweaking Guide.
PC Stats: Slipstream XP SP2 onto Windows XP Setup CD Guide.
FlexBeta:How Secure is XP SP2 Firewall.
PC Today: Living With Windows XP SP2.
PC World: Windows XP’s Big Fix.
PC World: Tweak Windows XP SP2 Security to Your Advantage.
Short Media: Does XP SP2 slow you down?
hardCOREware: Windows XP SP2 Performance Review.
Mark: How To Make Your Website Work with XP SP2.
WinXP Tutor: Windows XP SP2 Tips.

BUG + FIX:
MSKB: Access Denied Error while installing XP SP2.

BUG + FIX:
XP/XP SP1/XP SP1a/XP SP2/2003 Firewall Bypass Weakness.

BUG + FIX:
File + Printer Sharing Security Vulnerability.

BUG + FIX:
L2TP VPN with NAT Networks Connection Loss + REG Fix.

BUG + FIX:
MSKB: XP SP2 Windows Update Access Error with MS IE Pop-up Blocker.

BUG + FIX:
MSKB: XP SP2 Rich Text Format (RTF) Word Document (DOC, RTF + WRI) Error.

BUG:
XP SP2 Windows Security Center WMI Spoofing Exploit.
Microsoft Response.

BUG + FIX:
Microsoft Addresses NAT Conflict Introduced by XP SP2.

BUG:
Microsoft NTP Time Synchronization Spoof Weakness.

FIX:
MSKB: Configure Windows Time Service Against Large Time Offset.

BUG + FIX:
MSKB: PC Keeps Restarting After Installing XP SP2 on 64-bit AMD CPU With Sigma Design DVD Decoder.

BUG + FIX:
MSKB: WMP9/WMP10 Unable To Connect To UDP Through XP SP2 Firewall.

BUG + FIX:
MSKB: Help and Support Center Does Not Run With Data Execution Protection Turned On in XP SP2.

BUG + FIX:
MSKB: How To Fix HTML Picture Errors in XP SP2.

BUG + FIX:
MSKB: Using Microsoft Exchange Outlook Web Access with XP SP2.

BUG:
Wrong Icon in Zip Archives Security Flaw.

BUG:
Command Shell + ZoneIDs Caching Security Flaws.

BUG:
Blocked MS IE Local Machine Zone Content.

FIX:
Unblock MS IE Local Machine Zone Content.
MSDN:Local Machine Zone Lockdown.
MSKB: How To Strengthen Local Machine Zone Security.

BUG:
Limited MAXimum TCP/IP Connections per second.
MS TechNet:XP SP2 Functionality Changes: Network Protection Technologies.

FIX:
Unlock MAXimum TCP/IP Connections per second TCPIP.SYS Patcher.
MSKB: How To Change TCP/IP + NBT Configuration Parameters.

BUG + FIX:
Ahead Nero Burning ROM Update for XP SP2.

BUG:
FireWire 800 Devices Downgraded to FireWire 100.

FIX:
La Cie FireWire 800 Updates.

BUG:
Halo PC Game: Compatibility Fix for XP SP2 and 256 MB Video Cards.

FIX:
Halo v1.05 Patch [4.56 MB].