Microsoft Killing Service Pack Blocker Tool

Microsoft has announced it will be killing off the Service Pack Blocker Tool for Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1...but users still won't be forced to install updates.

Microsoft has announced it plans to expire its Service Pack Blocker Tool for Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1…although the company promised that users and companies won’t be forced into upgrading to newer Windows service packs. The Service Pack Blocker Tool for Windows Vista SP 1 will expire on April 28, 2009; the Service Pack Blocker Tool for Windows XP SP1 will expire May 19, 2009.

The Service Pack Blocker Tool enables users or company to temporarily put off the installation of Windows service packs through the Windows Update service, usually for up to one year after the release of a service pack. While Microsoft urges all Windows XP and Vista users to update to the most recent service packs for security and stability improvements, the company promises that updates are still optional: users will receive an alert from Windows Update when a service pack is available, and users can choose to install or ignore the update.

"Our goal in announcing the removal of the blockers early is to provide you with an early notification to ensure you’re prepared to deploy the appropriate service pack when the blockers expire," wrote Brandon LeBlanc in Microsoft’s official Windows blog.

Some companies and organizations use the Service Pack Blocker Tool to put off updating to a particular service pack until its compatibility with existing applications, hardware, and systems has been assessed.