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Microsoft is expected to announce this week—most likely on Thursday morning—that it has released to manufacturing Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).
SP1, the server counterpart to Windows XP Service Pack 2, is primarily a security update. But, as was the case with XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP1 also will include some brand-new features. SP1 is the foundation for Microsofts forthcoming 64-bit Windows Server 2003 releases.
The WinBeta.org Windows enthusiast site posted a note on Tuesday claiming that Microsoft had released Build 1830 of Windows Server 2003 SP1 to manufacturing. WinBeta also reported that Windows XP Professional x64 also was released to manufacturing at the same time.
The Extended64.com Web site posted a countering note, claiming that Microsoft officials said WinBeta was wrong. But the Extended64 site did not elaborate on what part of WinBetas information was allegedly in error.
Microsoft officials did not respond to a request for more information by the time this article was published.
Microsoft has been expected by company watchers to release SP1 to manufacturing by the end of March. Until late 2004, Microsoft had been shooting to deliver the final SP1 release before the end of calendar 2004. Last summer, officials admitted that the SP1 and accompanying 64-bit releases would be delayed until some time in the first half of 2005.
Microsoft officials said in February to expect the company to announce availability of its 64-bit Windows Server 2003 x64 and Windows XP x64 Professional releases in April. At an Intel 64-bit press conference on Tuesday, Microsoft officials reiterated their April 64-bit Windows availability target.