XP update displays settlement concessions

By Joe Wilcox

Microsoft is finishing work on an update to its Windows XP operating system, clearing the way for public release of the software within the next few days, sources say.

The software giant periodically issues free updates, known as service packs, in order to fix bugs or revamp security software. The Windows XP update is unique, however, because it adds a new control for setting default middleware - such as web browser and media player software - as required by Microsoft's pending antitrust settlement with the US Department of Justice and nine of the 18 states that sued the company.

In court papers filed Wednesday to document Microsoft's progress in complying with the proposed settlement, the software giant said that "in the next few days, Microsoft will release service pack one (SP1) for Windows XP." Microsoft spokesman Jim Cullinan would not elaborate on the timing of the release, other than to say that it is "still on target for the next couple of weeks."

When the service pack does arrive, however, consumers may find that the new middleware control has little effect on middleware already installed on their PCs. Developers of software programs for Windows XP must "register" their middleware with the updated OS in order to use the new middleware control, according to Microsoft. And software makers, such as AOL, say that the only way to do that is either to update existing software or wait for their new releases.

AOL's current software will not work with the new middleware control, company spokesman Andrew Weinstein said. That's largely because "the software code [from Microsoft] was not made available to any software developer until a couple of months ago," he said. Other than that, he added, existing versions of AOL's software will work with Windows XP and Service Pack 1.

People who use the Opera browser also may have to wait for an update to that program in order to support the new middleware control.

Jon von Tetzchner, CEO of Opera, said: "We have to do some work. If we need to register [in Windows XP in] a new way, we will find out how to do that. Microsoft does not have a tendency to contact us and tell us how to do things."

RealNetworks said an upcoming version of its RealOne media player will register with the middleware control, but existing versions will not.

Joe Wilcox writes for News.com