A while back, we reported on how if you’re a Windows XP x64 user, Microsoft didn’t think you needed the additional Wi-Fi security offered by the WPA2 encryption protocol – which just happens to be one of the only two non-trivial Wi-Fi protection scheme available at the same time. Well, chin-up, because if you’re a Windows XP 64-bit Edition user, you can now up that security level on your router and enjoy WPA2-encrypted networking bliss.
That’s right, 64-bit users can now use WPA2 just like the rest of the world has been doing (including Linux x64 users, OS X users, Windows XP 32-bit, and just about every other operating system on the planet). It seems that Windows XP x64 SP2 includes the hotfix, which Microsoft still refuses to release separately, though the 32-bit version was released as a hotfix two years before XP x64 SP2 was made available.
Anyway, all you need to do to be able to connect to WPA2-encrypted networks is download and install Service Pack 2, then connect using your Wi-Fi connection tool of choice, including the Windows Zero-Configuration Wi-Fi module.
You can read the official release notes for Service Pack 2 – just skip down to the “Wireless Protected Access 2” section and read. Congratulations Windows x64 users, and welcome to the world of the secure. Say thank you to Microsoft for giving you their blessing to enter, but be careful, the party is almost over. So much for a 64-bit future – and Microsoft wants to make Vista the last 32-bit operating system. Scary.
Download Windows XP Patch for Windows to support Patch for Wireless Protected Access.
Hat-Tip: Dan
Techworld is reporting that Microsoft has released an update which adds support for WPA2 to Windows XP:
Xp Wpa2 Download
The Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)/Wireless Provisioning Services Information Element (WPS IE) update for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 is available. Das WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2)-/WPS IE (Wireless Provisioning Services Information Element)-Update f; Perhaps I should clairify - Before SP3 Automatically installed, his computer was able to connect to WPA2 encrypted networks. Wpa2-psk Patch For Windows Xp Sp2 Download. When you are connected to a WPA2 capable wireless network, the type of network is displayed as WPA2 in the Choose A Wireless Network dialog box. On the Association tab for the properties of a wireless network, the Network Authentication list has the following additional options. That 'out-of-band' update was officially denied to Windows XP SP2 PCs because the service pack was retired from support on July 13. By Microsoft policy, retired products no longer receive security.
Microsoft has released native support for the IEEE 802.11i wireless security specification in Windows XP and its variants, nearly a year after the standard's ratification. The update, made available on Friday, gives Windows compatibility with WPA2 - the certification based on 802.11i - as well as a standard designed to help laptops connect to secure public hotspots.
The update isn't available through Windows Update but can be found on Microsoft's site here:
Update for Windows XP (KB893357)(requires 'Genuine Microsoft' authentication)
The accompanying knowledgebase article mentions the following:
You must use the WPA2/WPS IE Update together with the following:
• Wireless access points that support WPA2.
• Wireless network adaptors that support WPA2.
• Windows XP wireless network adaptor drivers that support the passing of WPA2 capabilities to Windows Wireless Auto Configuration.
• Wireless network adaptors that support WPA2.
• Windows XP wireless network adaptor drivers that support the passing of WPA2 capabilities to Windows Wireless Auto Configuration.
![Windows xp wpa2 update download Windows xp wpa2 update download](/uploads/1/3/4/5/134502952/145406251.jpg)
The WPA2/WPS IE Update modifies the following dialog boxes:
• When you are connected to a WPA2 capable wireless network, the type of network is displayed as WPA2 in the Choose A Wireless Network dialog box.
• On the Association tab for the properties of a wireless network, the Network Authentication list has the following additional options:
• On the Association tab for the properties of a wireless network, the Network Authentication list has the following additional options:
Download Wpa2 Update For Windows Xp Sp2
- WPA2-PSK - for WPA2 Personal
Note These options are not present if the wireless network adaptor driver does not support WPA2.
So it sounds like you won't see any of the updated dialogs without WPA2 compatible drivers for your NIC and that enabling WPA2 security will require a compatible WAP and NIC.
Windows Xp Wpa2 Fix
You can find some further details on this update and WPA2 in this month's Microsoft 'The Cable Guy' column, 'Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) Overview'.