Service pack

2025-05-29T05:54:50Z

103.97.2.9:

{{Short description|Single installable package of software updates}}
[[File:This_is_the_Windows_XP_SP2_French_CD._Microsoft_is_the_owner_of_the_operating_system_by_law.jpg|thumb|Windows XP SP2 installation disc.]]
In computing, a '''service pack''' comprises a collection of updates, fixes, or enhancements to a [[computer program|software program]] delivered in the form of a single installable package. Companies often release a service pack when the number of individual [[patch (computing)|patches]] to a given program reaches a certain (arbitrary) limit, or the software release has shown to be stabilized with a limited number of remaining issues based on users' feedback and [[bug tracking system|bug reports]]. In large software applications such as office suites, operating systems, database software, or network management, it is not uncommon to have a service pack issued within the first year or two of a product's release. Installing a service pack is easier and less error-prone than installing many individual patches, even more so when updating multiple computers over a network, where service packs are common.

Service packs are usually numbered, and thus shortly referred to as SP1, SP2, SP3 etc.<ref>One counterexample is [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=90DCD52C-0488-4E46-AFBF-ACACE5369FA3, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 3a]
</ref> They may also bring, besides [[Software bug|bug]] fixes,<ref>Example of Service Pack list of changes for a multi-module/multi-mode software product: [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php5/TS2009_SP2 Trainz SP2 involved feature changes and bug fixes]</ref> entirely new features, as is the case of [[Windows XP#Service Pack 2|SP2]] of [[Windows XP]] (e.g. [[Security_and_Maintenance#Windows_XP_SP2|Windows Security Center]]), or SP3 and SP4 of the heavily database dependent ''[[Trainz#Trainz Simulator 2009: World Builder Edition|Trainz 2009: World Builder Edition]]''.<ref>[http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php5/%22Trainz-build%22_tag Trainz Railway Simulators Service Packs Table] versus major release version titles</ref>

==Incremental and cumulative SPs==
[[File:Windows 2000 SP4 install disc (French).jpg|thumb|Windows 2000 SP4 installation disc]]
Service Packs for [[Microsoft Windows]] were cumulative through [[Windows XP]]. This means that the problems that are fixed in a service pack are also fixed in later service packs. For example, Windows XP SP3 contains all the fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).<ref>{{cite web|last=Knowledgebase|first=Microsoft|title=List of fixes included in Windows XP SP3|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=22 November 2012}}</ref> Windows Vista SP2 was not cumulative, however, but incremental, requiring that SP1 be installed first.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knowledgebase|first=Microsoft|title=Frequently Asked Questions: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2|date=2 July 2012 |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd335038.aspx|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=3 March 2014}}</ref>

[[Office XP]], [[Office 2003]], [[Office 2007]], [[Office 2010]] and [[Office 2013]] service packs have been cumulative.

Since [[Windows 8]], the Service Pack concept of [[Microsoft Windows]] has been eliminated, instead the Feature Update concept is used.<ref> {{Cite web |title=Microsoft overhauls Windows 7 and 8.1 updating — but don’t call it a service pack |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/1665202/microsoft-overhauls-windows-7-and-81-updating-but-dont-call-it-a-service-pack.html |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=Computerworld |language=en}}</ref>

==Impact on installation of additional software components==
Application service packs replace existing files with updated versions that typically fix bugs or close [[Vulnerability (computing)|security hole]]s. If, at a later time, additional components are added to the software using the original media, there is a risk of accidentally mixing older and updated components. Depending on the [[operating system]] and [[Software deployment|deployment]] methods, it may then be necessary to manually reinstall the service pack after each such change to the software. This was, for example, necessary for [[Windows NT]] service packs; however, from [[Windows 2000]] onwards, Microsoft redirected setup programs to use updated service pack files instead of files from the original installation media in order to prevent manual reinstall.<ref>[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/274215 Not Necessary to Reinstall Windows 2000 Service Packs After System State Changes]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Adaptation Kit Update]]
* [[Apple Software Update]]
* [[Hotfix]]
* [[IBM Program temporary fix]]
* [[Point release]]
* [[Slipstream (computing)]]
* [[Software release life cycle]]
* [[Windows Update]]

==References==

<references/>

==External links==
* [http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/ Microsoft Support Lifecycle] (includes Microsoft's service pack policy)
* [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/service-packs Windows Service Packs]
* [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480 List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3]

[[Category:Windows administration]]
[[Category:System administration]]
[[Category:Patch utilities]]
[[Category:Software release]]

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Service pack