>>Windows Server 2003 SP1 Released.
The first and long-awaited service pack for Windows Server 2003 has gone gold and is now available for download . SP1 includes many of the same enhancements found in Windows XP SP2, fortifying the operating system with a bevy of security updates. SP1 also provides the groundwork for Microsoft's 64-bit Windows releases .

"I am happy to announce that Windows Server 2003 SP1 has been shipped for English and German. Just a short time ago, at 5:20 PM Pacific Standard Time, the final call was made," Microsoft beta coordinator Sam White announced in an e-mail to testers.

Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003 tightens Internet Explorer security, adds the Windows Firewall and new Security Configuration Wizard and offers customers a "Post-setup Security Update Wizard," which patches any outstanding security holes before a server boots up for the first time.

"With Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, our development team took the time to treat the root cause of many security issues, not just the symptoms. This service pack is very significant and should help address certain classes of exploits," said Bob Muglia, senior vice president Microsoft's Windows Server Division.

SP1 also adds support for "no execute" hardware restrictions in Intel and AMD chips, which prevents malicious code from running in areas of memory not designed to run programs.

It's not clear what affect Service Pack 1 will have on application compatibility, but Microsoft says it worked hard to eliminate any potential problems. "Microsoft worked closely with its hardware and software partners to ensure the highest possible level of application and device compatibility for Service Pack 1."

>>Microsoft Completes 64-Bit Windows.
Ending a year and a half of testing, Microsoft has released to manufacturing 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 . The new releases, branded x64 Edition, pave the way for a new era in desktop computing built atop advanced processors architectures.

General availability of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition is slated for next month during Microsoft's WinHEC 2005 conference.

The x64 editions of Windows also run 32-bit applications, enabling for a smooth transition to 64-bit computing . Intel is expected to release its consumer 64-bit processors in April. AMD has offered its 64-bit Opteron and AMD64 chips since last year.

"Windows XP Professional x64 Edition will particularly benefit business customers engaging in solving complex scientific problems, high performance design and engineering applications, high-end 3D game development, video editing, media encoding, or creating 3D animations," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews.

Microsoft is targeting medium to large enterprises with Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions, which cover Standard, Enterprise and Datacenter versions of the operating system.

"Benefits include better performance for a variety of critical business and technical computing applications, and improvements to Windows Server 2003 core technologies including Terminal Services, Active Directory, Internet Information Services (IIS), and storage management," the spokesperson said.

To prepare for the launch, Microsoft says it has trained more than 8,000 developers on 64-bit Windows, and launched the Route64 Training Tour to aid ISVs in migration. More than 300 partners have joined Redmond in its 64-bit efforts, the company says.

Microsoft also plans to soon begin accepting applications for Windows XP x64 Edition in its "Designed for Windows" logo program.

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition find its roots in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, which also debuted early Thursday .