Windows Server 2008 FAQs

How will I be able to apply Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 to my computer?
There are two ways :

• An update will be available for free download for existing installations of Windows Server 2008.
• The SP2 updates will be incorporated, or slipstreamed, into Windows Server 2008 moving forward.

Is SP2 a mandatory update through Windows Update?
No, SP2 is an optional update from Windows Update site. After some time on Windows Update site, SP2 will also be offered via Automatic Updates (AU).  Even on AU, SP2 will not install automatically until the End User License Agreement has been accepted.

Customers who wish to test SP2 for a longer period and would like to prevent SP2 from installing from AU can download and install the SP2 Blocking Tool at the Microsoft Download Center. The tool will ensure SP2 is not offered from AU for 360 days.

Organizations do not need to deploy the Blocker Toolkit in environments managed with an update management solution such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Systems Center. Organizations can use those products to fully manage deployment of updates released through Windows Update and Microsoft Update.

Does SP2 change the non-R2 machines to R2 SP2 machines?
No, it will not upgrade Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2.

Windows Server 2003 Service Packs required a lot of application testing? Should I expect the same from Windows Server 2008 SP2?
No, customers can expect a much simpler upgrade process with WS08 SP2.  Previous service packs addressed known security vulnerabilities to Windows Server by tightening the authorization needed for some services and disabling others all together. In some cases these security enhancements resulted in unexpected behavior from applications.  With WS08 SP2, customers can expect a normal service pack up updates, rollups, and hotfixes.

Is Hyper-V included in Windows Server 2008 SP2?
Yes, Service Pack 2 marks the inclusion of Hyper-V into Windows Server 2008 natively. If you install SP2, you will not need to download Hyper-V RTM separately.

Are there Power improvements for Server 2008?
Yes! Great work has been done to further improve the power profiles we delivered in Windows Server 2008. With SP2, customers will see approximately 10% power improvement over Windows Server 2008 RTM.

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