Below you'll find all the latest information on both service packs and these other major updates that Microsoft is regularly pushing to its users. Latest Major Updates to Windows 10 As of January 2019, the last major update to Windows 10 is Windows 10 Version 1803, also known as the April 2018 Update, previously code-named Redstone 4.
This update began rolling out on April 30, 2018. Updating is completely automatic via Windows Update. You can read more about the individual fixes and improvements on Microsoft's. Latest Major Updates to Windows 8 As of January 2019, the latest major update for Windows 8 is. 1 If you've already updated to Windows 8.1, the easiest way to update to Windows 8.1 Update is via Windows Update. See instructions for manually installing Windows 8.1 Update in the Download Windows 8.1 Update section of our piece.
New features, if available, will instead be pushed via updates on. Latest Microsoft Windows Service Packs (Windows 7, Vista, XP) The most recent service pack is SP1, but a Convenience Rollup for Windows 7 SP1 (basically an otherwise-named Windows 7 SP2) is also available which installs all between the release of SP1 (February 22, 2011) through April 12, 2016. The latest service packs for other versions of Microsoft Windows include SP2, SP3, and Windows 2000 SP4. In the table below are links that take you directly to the latest Microsoft Windows service packs and major updates for each. These updates are free. Please note that for most of you, the easiest way to install the latest Windows service pack or update is to run Windows Update.
Operating System Service Pack / Update Size (MB) Download Windows 7 Convenience Rollup (April 2016) 2 316.0 Convenience Rollup (April 2016) 2 476.9 SP1 (windows6.1-KB976932-X86.exe) 537.8 SP1 (windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe) 903.2 Windows Vista 3 SP2 475.5 SP2 577.4 Windows XP SP3 4 316.4 SP2 5 350.9 Windows 2000 SP4 588 (KB) 1 Beginning in Windows 8, Microsoft began releasing regular, major updates to Windows 8. Service packs will not be released.
2 Windows 7 SP1 and the April 2015 Servicing Stack Update both must be installed prior to installing the Convenience Rollup. 3 Windows Vista SP2 can only be installed if you already have Windows Vista SP1 installed, which you can download for 32-bit versions, and for 64-bit ones. 4 Windows XP SP3 can only be installed if you already have Windows XP SP1a or Windows XP SP2 installed. If you do not have one or the other of those service packs installed, install SP1, available, before trying to install Windows XP SP3. 5 Windows XP Professional is the only 64-bit version of Windows XP and the latest service pack released for the operating system is SP2.
A service pack (SP) is a Windows update, often combining previously released updates, that helps make Windows more reliable. Service packs, which are provided free of charge on this page, can include security and performance improvements and support for new types of hardware. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) is a cumulative service pack that includes the latest updates and provides enhancements to security and stability.In addition, it adds new features and updates to existing Windows Server 2003 features and utilities.This service pack is available for Windows XP Professional, x64 Edition.SP2 can.
I am an experienced freelance technology journalist. I have written for Wired, The Next Web, TrustedReviews, The Guardian and the BBC in addition to Forbes. I began in b2b print journalism covering tech companies at the height of the dot com boom and switched to covering consumer technology as the iPod began to take off.
A career highlight for me was being a founding member of TrustedReviews. It started in 2003 and we were repeatedly told websites could not compete with print! Within four years we were purchased by IPC Media (Time Warner's publishing division) to become its flagship tech title.
What fascinates me are the machinations of technology's biggest companies. Got a pitch, tip or leak? Contact me on, my professional or via email: gordonATgordonkelly.com. I don't bite. The author is a Forbes contributor.
The opinions expressed are those of the writer. Having finally ditched support for the 12 year old operating system in April, Microsoft performed an arguably just three weeks later when a blew holes through every version of Windows.
And now it seems users will be able to. No Microsoft hasn’t changed its mind yet again. Instead the life extension comes courtesy of a simple hack spotted. The workaround exploits Microsoft’s continued support of ‘Windows Embedded Industry’ (previously ‘Windows Embedded POSReady’) which will last until 2019.
Embedded Industry is designed for use in industry devices across retail, manufacturing, healthcare and – you guessed it – the operating system is based on Windows XP Service Pack 3. Consequently the security updates that continue to be released for Windows Embedded Industry are essentially the same as what Microsoft would have released for Windows XP, had support continued. Now with a simple hack you can trick Windows Update into thinking Windows XP is Windows Embedded Industry. This is how you do it: 1.
Create a text document, and call it XP.reg. Be sure that the ending is ‘.reg’ not ‘XP.reg.txt.’ (check this in Windows Explorer by going to Tools Folder View and check ‘Show hidden files and folders’) 2. Right click the file, select ‘Edit’ and type in: 3. Save it and double click the file twice with the left mouse button which will add it to the registry. Windows XP will now tell Microsoft Update it is Windows Embedded Industry and automatically download and install security updates as they are released.
The snag is this hack only works for Windows XP 32bit because Windows XP 64bit is based on Windows Server 2003. There is a more complex workaround for that which can be. Now come the caveats. Firstly the updates are designed for Windows Embedded Industry not Windows XP and while that should not matter, it is possible there may be some compatibility issues. Secondly – and most importantly – it is impossible to say whether these hacks will keep working until support ends for Windows Embedded Industry in 2019 or if Microsoft will close this loophole. The optimistic viewpoint is Windows XP’s end of life status should mean it receives no future software updates so Microsoft would have to make another U-turn to close the loophole. The cynical viewpoint is Microsoft would prefer users to move to a newer operating system so closing the loophole would be in its interest.
This is a fair point given the age of Windows XP, but countered by the fact 1-in-4 PCs still use it. Microsoft also hasn’t helped its case after releasing misleading data earlier this month suggesting. Either way Microsoft is left in a tricky situation. Following the Windows 8.1 is actually a very good operating system, but its reputation is irreparably damaged. Furthermore, while it is fair to stop providing a free warranty service for a 12 year old OS, Microsoft is offering military and government organisations a paid service to keep their Windows XP computers safe as part of a scheme dubbed ‘Clandestine Fox’.
Surely this should also be a paid option for users who wish to stay safe, but can’t afford new hardware or fear the leap to a free Linux alternative like Ubuntu. RECOMMENDED BY FORBES.