Windows upgrade blockers to expire

Vista and XP users are about to get Windows service packs whether they want them or not.

Microsoft wants its Windows XP and Vista users to install its Service Packs, therefore it's going to disable the Service Pack Blocker Tool for both operating systems later this Spring.

The change will affect users who have the tools installed and also have Automatic Updates turned on in order to receive the monopolist's seemingly endless periodic security updates.

Users might have blocked Windows XP or Vista Service Pack upgrades because those break odd device-drivers, third-party software or in-house developed applications, or they might not want to suffer the disruption of installing the Service Pack and possibly having to then download and install additional fixes.

"The Service Pack Blocker Tool temporarily prevents the installation of a service pack through Windows Update, typically for one year after general availability of the service pack. We are announcing the upcoming expiration dates for the Service Pack Blocker Tool for Windows Vista SP1 and Windows XP SP3," warned Windows blogger Brandon LeBlanc last Friday.

He went on to say that the upgrade blocking tool for Vista SP1 will expire April 28 and the one for XP SP3 will expire May 19.

Windows users who have Automatic Updates turned on will receive an alert, as will those users who check for updates manually - alerts about the Service Pack upgrades which all users will still be able to ignore.

LeBlanc wrote, "Microsoft strongly recommends all customers move to Windows Vista SP1 if they are running Windows Vista or Windows XP SP3 if they are running Windows XP."