Microsoft has delayed the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), originally expected in late June, to at least July, according to a company spokesperson. XP SP2 has been on a roller-coaster schedule since last summer, when it was originally expected in late 2003. But a rash of security-related attacks caused Microsoft to regroup and recast XP SP2 as a security-focused release.
"Windows XP SP2 will ship when it meets the quality standards customers demand," a Microsoft spokesperson said, suggesting that even the July date might be optimistic. This release is important for Microsoft; a buggy SP2 release could irreparably harm the company's reputation with enterprise customers.
The shipping delay hasn't affected SP2's beta schedule, however. XP SP2 Release Candidate 2 (RC2) will still ship in May, for example. For more information about XP SP2, read my review on the SuperSite for Windows, which is updated regularly.
