Download Vista SP1 and XP SP3!

With the January 2009 release of security updates, Microsoft patched a total of three vulnerabilities in its Windows client and server operating systems. Last week, the Redmond company made available for download a single security bulletin designed to patch the vulnerabilities, and subsequently issued the January 2009 ISO. According to the software giant, the DVD5 ISO image file with the security patches for Windows are available for Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP (including SP3), Windows Vista RTM/SP1, and Windows Server 2008.

In addition to MS09-001 (for the vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Server Message Block (SMB) Protocol), the January 2009 Security Release ISO Image also includes MS08-078 and MS08-076 released the past year, patching vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer and Windows Media Components. Microsoft explained that Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 was also impacted by the same vulnerabilities affecting Windows Vista SP1 and patched by MS09-001, but since the issues were rated only Moderate and the company's policy was to resolve only Critical flaws in its Beta software, Win 7 would get patched with the Release Candidate Build, and not via a standalone update.

January 2009 Security Release ISO Image is available for download here.