The update packages (self extracting EXE) is on http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com. They will also be available shortly on http://www.microsoft.com as well as through the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).
Please note that while Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition were also were released to manufacturing today they will not be available through the WindowsBeta website. They will be available through various partners in late April.
Customers will be interested in Windows Server 2003 SP1 as regards security for the following reasons:
- Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 is a unique service pack that provides customers with significant security enhancements and reliability and performance improvements.
- Building on a comprehensive collection of critical updates, Service Pack 1 addresses additional core security issues by providing customers with a reduced attack surface, better protected system services with stronger default settings, and reduced privileges.
- With Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, the development team took the time to treat the root cause of many security issues, not just the symptoms. This service pack is very significant and should help address certain classes of exploits.
In addition, Microsoft is announcing that Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1 will also be available to customers within 60 days.
Note: Customers who have Automatic Updates enabled with automatic download should be aware that Windows Server 2003 SP1 will be made available through Automatic Updates (AU) as a High Priority update in July 2005. More information about SP1's availability through AU will be made available closer to this deadline.
Customers can obtain Windows Server 2003 SP1 at this location:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=22CFC239-337C-4D81-8354-72593B1C1F43
Windows Server 2003 TechCenter:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/servicepack/default.mspx
Release notes for Windows Server 2003 SP1: (includes links to MSKB on suport tools, updated sysprep, disk space requirements, etc.)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889101
Windows Server 2003 SP1 list of updates:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824721
Itanium-based version of Windows Server 2003 SP1:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=890C5C44-815C-45BD-8B08-4FE901BB8FDF
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 32-bit Support Tools
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6ec50b78-8be1-4e81-b3be-4e7ac4f0912d&DisplayLang=en
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 32bit Deployment Tools
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a34edcf2-ebfd-4f99-bbc4-e93154c332d6&DisplayLang=en
Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 SP1 availability:
In line with the announcements for Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003 today, another important announcement was made regarding SP1 for Small Business Server 2003. SP1 for SBS2003 will be available approximately 60 days from today, and will include a rollup of the latest service packs and updates for SBS 2003 and its product components.
Some of the updates will include
- Windows Server 2003 SP1
- Sharepoint Services SP1
- Exchange Server 2003 SP1
- Outlook 2003 security fixes and junk email filters
- SQL Server 2003 SP4
Advise is to NOT install win2k3 sp1 and other individual SP's on your SBS box. but wait 60 days till sbs sp1 is released.