The Beginner's Guide to Windows Service Packs
While they can be time consuming, service packs offer and overhaul of security enhancements and performance improvements throughout the life of the operating system.
Oh, the humble Microsoft Windows Service Pack. As a software update for your PC it’s not something you can touch or see, but it is nonetheless an integral part of the Windows operating system experience. You need to respect, not fear, the Windows Service Pack.
Why? It’s simple: Understanding the basics of what a service pack is and what it can do for your PC will lead to better security, reliability and peace of mind. In other words: This is important! But please, don’t be intimidated. We’re here to help.
Service Pack Basics
Service packs are free updates to the Microsoft Windows operating system you already have installed on your PC. Besides being free, each pack often includes a menagerie of security and performance improvements for any new hardware or gadgets you may have purchased along the way.
For example, a recent service pack for Windows 7 included improved reliability for connecting to HDMI audio devices and better printing when using the XPS viewer (which is used to view certain types of documents and file formats on your PC). The update also corrected some issues with restoring folders after a restart of Windows Explorer.
Why You Need Them
Windows doesn’t require service packs in order to run, which leads some users to delay or even skip installation. A better strategy is to stay up-to-date on service pack releases, because they’re loaded with important updates that can keep your system more secure and user-friendly. Here are just a few benefits they provide:
- Improved security: Just as hackers are constantly trying to find a way into Windows, Microsoft is continually finding methods for keeping them out. Service packs include the latest security strategies and tools that can run in the background to prevent intrusions automatically.
- Better performance: Microsoft developers are always looking for ways to make the operating system faster, more compatible with outside applications and more robust. Service packs incorporate their changes so that your system will work better in the future.
- Hardware support: Various devices — smartphones, music players, external DVD players and basically anything else that can be plugged into the computer — all require a level of compatibility to “talk” with the operating system. Service packs usually include support for the newest types of hardware, reducing compatibility issues.
Download and Installation Tips
When you’re ready to install a service pack, set some time aside for the task. Most installations take about 30 minutes to complete. Since a computer must be restarted about halfway through the installation, be sure to close all applications and documents (don't forget to save first), so that the restart and installation will be quicker.
The easiest way to get service packs is to turn on Windows Update for Windows 7 and Windows Vista, or Automatic Updates for Windows XP.
- For Windows 7 Update, go to the Microsoft Update Web site. If automatic updating is already turned on, Windows Update in your computer’s Control Panel will open and show the system’s update status. If it’s not on, the Web site tool will guide you through the steps to do so.
- For Automatic Windows XP Updates, visit the same Web site, being sure to use Internet Explorer as the Web browser. On the right side of the page, the current status of Automatic Updates will be displayed. If it indicates that it’s turned off, simply click “Turn on Automatic Updates.”
By switching on automated update services, Microsoft will notify you whenever service packs are ready to install and will guide you through the process.
If you want to keep Microsoft Windows running strong and protected, make sure regular service pack updates become part of your routine.