I just installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 on my machine. I downloaded the Network installer from MSDN (my employer is a subscriber) all 280 megs of it, but was reluctant to install it. Well I finally worked up the courage to turn it loose this evening, and it was remarkably easy. It only took about 20 minutes, and seems to have installed without a hitch. Can't say I see much difference. I never used IE, Outlook (or any other MS Office crap) and I'm nearly always behind a firewall... so that might explain it.