(September 13, 2002) - In compliance with a federal antitrust proposal, this week Microsoft Corp. released Windows® XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). The free software, a 133-megabyte upgrade, allows computer makers and users the option of hiding five Microsoft products: Windows Java Virtual Machine, Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer browser, and Outlook Express e-mail package. Those products can then be replaced with products from competing companies.

The product interchangeability is a requirement of the proposed consent decree signed with the U.S. Department of Justice and nine state attorneys general. This is just one of many components of the compliance effort undertaken by Microsoft since the consent decree was signed in November 2001. The antitrust agreement has not yet been accepted by a federal judge, but Microsoft has already agreed to follow its requirements. The U.S. district judge could still reject the agreement and impose harsher provisions that were requested by the states in the antitrust action.

Microsoft has stated that Windows XP Service Pack 1 will bring enhanced security, reliability, and compatibility to business and home users. Windows XP SP1 includes all of the security patches available via Windows Update. It also contains all updates resulting from the Windows code review conducted earlier this year as part of the Trustworthy Computing initiative.

Service Pack 1 for Windows XP can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP
/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/default.asp