Windows XP SP2 beta invitation

Dear Microsoft Customer,

Soon, Microsoft will make available to beta testers a pre-release copy of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP.

As one of our valued customers, we’d like to invite you to participate in the Windows XP SP2 Beta Program. Your participation is completely voluntary. Service Pack 2 Beta Program participants will preview Service Pack 2 software and have the opportunity to provide Microsoft with invaluable feedback as we continue work on this important release. What is Windows XP SP2?

Windows XP SP2 will include many security and performance enhancements developed since the October, 2001 release of Windows XP. In addition, Windows XP SP2 will contain new “security technologies” specifically designed to help you protect your computer from malicious attacks, including port-based and e-mail attacks, malicious Web content and buffer overrun based attacks.

Other planned changes for Service Pack 2 include:

O An enhanced personal firewall with improved features designed to better secure your personal computer.

O Security Enhancements to Internet Explorer and Outlook Express

O Support for new processor technology to further protect your machine from potential exploits.

O Improved Windows Update support designed to make it easier than ever to help keep your system secure and up to date.


What you can expect if you participate?

When the pre-release Windows XP SP2 Beta becomes available in a few weeks, we’ll notify you by email. It is your choice whether to participate. The beta software will be available either via download or if you elect, Microsoft will mail a CD containing Service Pack 2 beta to you. If you choose to participate, Microsoft asks that you install the beta software once it is received. We would like to hear from you regarding your overall experience with the beta software. If you encounter any issues or problems please feel free to file a problem report. You will also have the opportunity to communicate with other beta participants if you so choose. You will receive limited support through Microsoft’s private newsgroups.

To accept this invitation please visit BetaPlace at  and then follow the below instructions:

1. Sign In with your Passport ID

2. Click ‘Windows XP-SP2′

3. Click ‘Yes, I Would Like to Participate!’

4. Fill out the questionnaire and click ‘Submit’

After you have accepted your invitation, please verify your contact information by following these steps:

1. Select the ‘Modify Your Info’option on the blue toolbar

2. Select ‘Modify Your Address Info’

3. Click the ‘Change’ button to make any modifications to your contact information

Thank you in advance. We appreciate your willingness to consider participating in the Windows XP SP2 Beta software program!

The Windows Development Team