The code had been promised for mid-May but was pushed back after Microsoft delayed the final release of the service pack until the third quarter. The RC2 code that was made available Monday had been promised for release in mid-May, but the date shifted after Microsoft confirmed last month that the final release of Windows XP2 had slipped Windows XP Service Pack 2, or SP2, was a major update for Windows XP, which was released by Microsoft on August 25, 2004. It was succeeded by Windows XP Service Pack 3 on July 10, 2008. Service Pack 2 included many important addons and updates: Security - Huge security updates were included in REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 6, 2004 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the release to manufacturing of Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies. Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows XP, which was about 130MB (compressed) in size, fixed 324 errors in the operating system. Service Pack 2 (SP2), which will ship in mid-2004 at the latest, is hKyUMAP.