Microsoft Releases Office XP Service Pack 1

Microsoft will release today its first comprehensive collection of bug fixes for Office XP in the form of Office XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). According to the company, the updates in SP1 address three key areas: security, performance, and stability. Microsoft recommends that all Office XP users upgrade to SP1 because all future Office XP product updates will rely on this upgrade.

In addition, Office XP SP1 will include a new tool--the Team Services site-migration tool--that will help users migrate to Microsoft's Web-based SharePoint Team Services technology. "SharePoint Team Services is a team Web site in a box," said Reed Koch, general manager of Microsoft's SharePoint Team Services development team. "You basically push a button and have an instant team site for ad-hoc collaboration. The team site gives you a central place to post information and documents relevant to specific projects."

Office XP SP1 will be available in several different versions, including the following. The downloads will be available today. (If the links aren't live when you try them, check again later.)

Office XP SP1 Web download

Office XP SP1 CD-ROM version (for ordering the CD-ROM)

Office XP SP1 Administrator Download

Microsoft Select, Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), and TechNet program members will receive SP1 as part of their regularly scheduled mailings.