Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2 Released

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/prodinfo/sp2.mspx' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/office/edi...odinfo/sp2.mspx</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050928-Office.gif" /><br /><br />Just a heads-up for those of you using Microsoft Office 2003: Service Pack 2 has been released. Below, you'll find links to download all the necessary bits and pieces to keep Office 2003 updated. Alternatively, you can use <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx">Office Update</a> to speed up the process.<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=57E27A97-2DB6-4654-9DB6-EC7D5B4DD867&displaylang=en">Office 2003 Service Pack 2</a><br />• <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=34DB1E44-1D31-4137-BFA5-CA755D4C7A71&displaylang=en">OneNote 2003 Service Pack 2</a><br />• <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=710152EF-AF64-444D-942D-1188843A8FA4&displaylang=en">Project 2003 Service Pack 2</a><br />• <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=413D99FD-2965-4FAF-BD48-3CBCC5031E46&displaylang=en">Project Server 2003 Service Pack 2</a><br />• <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C36D4B49-1910-4FF3-A525-47368F6E5FDD&displaylang=en">Visio 2003 Service Pack 2</a><br />• <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=63336EF2-7D76-4A8D-921F-C6F6E7152B97&displaylang=en">Office 2003 Service Pack 2 for Proofing Tools</a>

[lapchinj]

It's a shame that after all these years Microsoft still can't bring themselves to let non Microsoft browsers work on their sites. Kind of childish I think :? . At least if they don't want to allow other browsers in at least put in some of the features the others have to offer. It really starts off an update process to a fine product on the wrong foot. Maybe they should treat IE as a product with regular updates like their other products and not use it as a stick to keep me from straying too far from the holy grail.

Sorry for the rant but I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning didn't even have a coffee yet and this was first issue that popped into my face this morning.

Jeff-

[Gator5000e]

Hmmm, thanks for the tip, but I tried to install via Windows Update this morning and it got through about 90% of the install and then said installation failed. No reason given. Just before it tried to install SP2, Update successfully installed the latest Junk Mail update. I know this is not an Office site, but if anyone has any thoughts on this, they would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[LouL]

Had the same problem where the install fails at around 90%. I'm downloading the full update (~100MB) and will try that.

[lapchinj]

Hmmm, thanks for the tip, but I tried to install via Windows Update this morning and it got through about 90% ...
I went to the MS 'Office Update' site (using IE) that Darius posted as an alternative and didn't have any problems so you might want to try that. So far I haven't tried windows update (that I know of) to update office.

Jeff-

[PR.]

I had a similar problem I d/l the full update and it worked fine.

The two big main features are the anti phishing filter in Outlook that disabled URLs in suspect emails and emails sent to the Junk e-mail folder are now displayed in plain text to prevent any html code being executed.

I haven't spotted anything else of interest...

[brianchris]

As a side note, the direct links above will work, and certainly Office Update (www.officeupdate.com), BUT the best is Microsoft Update ( http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate ). Why is that the best? its technically the evolution of Windows Update, doing everything that does PLUS Office updates at the same time....including pushing both updates to you. I had Office 2003 pushed to my computer (totally by surprise by the way) by the time I got home last night. Try it.....you'll like it :D

[Gex]

MS Update also does Exchange updates (client tools and server). Not sure what other products it updates but the name implies that it is more than just windows and office.

[brianchris]

MS Update also does Exchange updates (client tools and server). Not sure what other products it updates but the name implies that it is more than just windows and office.

You are correct.....Exchange AND SQL are also updated at the same time. There may even be more, and even if there aren't, I'm pretty sure more MS applications will be updated in this same manner in the future.

[rapster]

And this thread has -what- to do with Pocket PC?

C'mon, folks, keep it on topic.

[brianchris]

And this thread has -what- to do with Pocket PC?

C'mon, folks, keep it on topic.

First, Darius Wey made the initial Front Page post, and we've kept it on topic from there....perhaps you're mad at him (and not us)?

Second, I don't know if you've actually used a Pocket PC, but they are devices that syncronize with a program called OUTLOOK (the 2003 version just recieved an service pack 2). :roll:

[whydidnt]

And this thread has -what- to do with Pocket PC?

C'mon, folks, keep it on topic.

Actually, this post is in the "off-topic" forum. One of the things I enjoy about this site is that posts don't strictly address PocketPC issues. There's a sense of community - besides that last I checked, 90=% of users sync their device to Outlook 2003 which could be impacted by this update. I'm watching this thread to see if the early adopters report any problems before I take the plunge! :wink:

[aroma]

Haven't had any problems with the SP2 yet. I too would recomend using MicrosoftUpdate instead of either WindowsUpdate or OfficeUpdate. Note that after the first time you run MicrosoftUpdate, any future conections to WindowsUpdate will automatically direct you to MSUpdate. Also you're Automatic Updates will now be integrated with MSUpdates, so you can automatically be notified of and/or install other (Office) critical updates as well.

- Aaron

[Gex]

Make sure you have an authentic copy of Windows before using MSUpdate :)

Since I never sync locally (I use exchange AUTD) I cant say what effects this update has with desktop ActiveSync.

The most obvious change I have noticed in Outlook is the integration with MS Messenger is different.

[Darius Wey]

And this thread has -what- to do with Pocket PC?

C'mon, folks, keep it on topic.

I thought a little public service announcement wouldn't hurt the masses, and after all, this thread is listed in the OFF-TOPIC forum. Also remember that a huge proportion of Pocket PC users use Outlook, and SP2 happens to add some nice features to the program.

[Darius Wey]

I'm watching this thread to see if the early adopters report any problems before I take the plunge! :wink:

I've had it installed since yesterday and so far, it's been good. Of course, I'm going to give it a workout over the next couple of days since first impressions never last. ;)

[Steven Cedrone]

So far, so good! No problems with SP2!

[ctmagnus]

Meh... It's Microsoft... I'm waiting a week or so to download, at least until I've heard the bad side of the upgrade as well.

[peterawest]

I had a similar problem I d/l the full update and it worked fine...

The updates installed just fine on both of my computers, but I did find that Stedman's Plus Spellchecker 2005 was no longer active in MS Office 2003.

I just ran the Stedman's install CD again and all seems fine now.

Just a heads up.