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First Look At Windows XP Service Pack 2: Page 3 of 7

2. Ask me again later.

The properties screen that controls Automatic Updates settings has been changed. There are now four radio button options (it's really the same number of options presented differently), and the first is the most automatic option; the same one that Microsoft calls "strongly recommended." By default, it automatically downloads and installs patches at 3AM every day. This time may be a mistake. Many people turn off their computers at night (both employees and home users). We haven't tested the point, but the default 3AM time may prevent patches from being installed automatically on many PCs. A better default time might be 12:30PM, with a dialog that pops up and waits for 10 minutes asking you what time of day is best for you.

In general the changes to Automatic Updates are a good idea. Some businesses may not want Automatic Updates to be quite so automatic, but on most consumer desktops, this is the correct setting.

Workable Windows Firewall

What used to be called Internet Connection Firewall (and is still called that in build 2055 of the product tested for this story), has been upgraded and rechristened "Windows Firewall." There are several minor changes, but the biggest and best changes are that, according to Microsoft, XP's firewall will now work much better with applications. In part, that's delivered by the new default On setting that's something like a medium level of protection. There's also an "On with no exceptions" settings that provides a high security level.