Windows 2000 Rollup update announced

[Schadenfroh]

Text

To make it as easy as possible for customers to maintain the security and stability of their Windows 2000 systems, Microsoft will produce an Update Rollup for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4), with a planned release in mid-2005.

The Update Rollup will contain all security-related updates produced for Windows 2000 between the time SP4 was released and the time when Microsoft finalizes the contents of the Update Rollup. The Update Rollup will also contain a small number of important non-security updates.

By including the most important updates for Windows 2000, the Update Rollup will make it easier for customers to keep existing Windows 2000 systems secure and up to date, and to build new deployment images. The Update Rollup should require less pre-deployment testing for two reasons: the number of updates included in the Update Rollup is significantly lower than the number typically included in a service pack, and Microsoft will have already released most of the contents of the Update Rollup as individual updates and hotfixes. Individual hotfixes made since SP4, but not included in the Update Rollup, will remain available via individual downloads.

Because Microsoft believes the Update Rollup will meet the needs of customers better than a new service pack, there will be no Service Pack 5 (SP5) for Windows 2000. Therefore, SP4 becomes the final service pack for Windows 2000. Customers who have not yet deployed SP4 should consider deploying SP4 as soon as possible, especially since SP4 will be a prerequisite for deploying the Update Rollup.

 

[stash]

Not surprising at all. There's less than a year left for 2000 support, and there are other more important projects that Microsoft needs to devote resources to. It doesn't make business sense to make a full service pack for an OS that will not be supported in ~7 months.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: STaSh
Not surprising at all. There's less than a year left for 2000 support, and there are other more important projects that Microsoft needs to devote resources to. It doesn't make business sense to make a full service pack for an OS that will not be supported in ~7 months.

Correct me if I'm misunderstanding, but according to the Windows lifecycle site, Win2000 enters the Extended Support phase on June 30 2005 and has five more years after that before Extended Support is retired. My understanding is that for the first two years of Extended support, updates will be available from Windows Update, and after that it's self-support, presumably via manual patching or WUS.

From your sig, I'm guessing you work at Microsoft. Maybe you're not allowed to field this type question in this venue, but I'd be curious to hear more about it from someone.

 

[stash]

Yes, that is true, but that covers security updates only. Service packs contain more than just security updates. After the mainstream support period ends, all design changes to the OS are refused. That means that any bugs discovered and reported through PSS won't be evaluated for a potential hotfix release. That would also exclude any major changes like backporting the security features of XP SP2.

I need to change my sig I don't work at Microsoft anymore (for the moment anyway). But there are a few guys on this board that do.

 

[mechBgon]

Thanks for the insight I currently have a batchfile that runs about 53 post-SP4 patches followed by Qchain... sure wish they would've put out that rollup sooner than this but whatever, I'm paid by the hour. *recites this to self*

 

[stash]

lol yes, I feel your pain. I just had to build a new 2000 SP4 DC at work the other day, and our network has no Internet access. Qchain is my friend

 

[Nothinman]

Good, MS always puts too much extra crap into the SPs.