Ed Bott

Charles writes: “After downloading and installing SP2 the first upated listed in the Windows Update was a critical update – .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1. In a SP2 chat converstaion today I was told it was OK to install on top of the SP2 Update. Is this also your understanding or what is your opinion?”

Absolutely, it’s OK to install. The Web page for the .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1 provides this information:

The primary focus of Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is improved security. In addition, the service pack includes roll-ups of all reported customer issues found after the release of the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1. Of particular note, SP1 provides better support for consuming WSDL documents, Data Execution prevention and protection from security issues such as buffer overruns.

SP1 also provides support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 to provide a safer, more reliable experience for customers using Windows XP.

An increasing number of programs require the .NET Framework. If you’ve installed one of those programs, this is a must-have update.