If you are using WinXP automatic updates, the SR2 patches you need will be downloaded to you automatically. If you have the default automatic update setup, you will be told when the download is completed, and have the option to install or not install.

If you are not currently using automatic update, Microsoft – and common sense – recommends that you turn it on if you want this update. The SR2 release requires download of at least 60 to 80 MB, and if you aren't current with prior updates it can reportedly run as high as 800 MB. If you're not current, it would probably make sense to go ahead and install existing critical patches, or as many as you can, to minimize the size of the download for the SR2 package.

With automatic update, the files can be downloaded to your machine in the background, whenever you're "connected." This background download should not be visible to you during any normal operations, and should not interfere with your normal web activities. When the update files appropriate to your setup have been downloaded, you will be able to install them if you choose to do so.

If you're now connected for automatic updates, and for some reason you don't want this update now, you should "unregister" for the automatic system. Anyone running XP SERVER programs can download a utility to "mark" machines to not receive the download. The "mark" will expire in about 60 delays, so it's only a delay – at least for now.

John