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Windows XP Service Pack 2

If your PC runs the Windows XP operating system, you should make sure it has been upgraded to Service Pack 2 (‘SP2’). This upgrade was released by Microsoft in late 2004, making major improvements to the software to help reduce the risk of viruses and other security problems. Most copies of Windows bought since early 2005 will already include the SP2 upgrade.

If your PC runs another version of Windows (such as 2000), SP2 doesn’t apply to you, but you should still use the Microsoft Update facility described below. If your computer is an Apple Mac, or runs another operating system such as Linux, this page does not apply to you.

1. Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop and select Properties from the menu that appears.
2. If the details in the ‘General’ section of the System Properties window include the words ‘Service Pack 2’, you already have the upgrade. If not, you can install Windows XP Service Pack 2 from this CD (for English-language Windows only – for other languages use the Microsoft Update site).
3. After installing SP2, you should also run Microsoft Update as described below.

MICROSOFT Update

If your PC runs Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000, you must keep it up to date using the regular security ‘patches’ released by Microsoft. These fix problems discovered with the software, some of which can be used to spread viruses or attack your computer.

1. Go to the Microsoft Update web site www.microsoft.com/windowsupdate and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. You should install all ‘critical’ or ‘high-priority’ updates that Microsoft Update says are available.
3. You need to use Microsoft Update regularly – but if you have installed SP2 as described above, this should happen automatically.