Microsoft Delays Three Windows UpgradesMicrosoft Delays Three Windows Upgrades

Microsoft has fallen behind schedule with the development of three upgrades to Windows and is pushing back the timetable for delivering the software, the company disclosed Tuesday.

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, which had been scheduled for availability later this year, is now slated for the first half of 2005. Likewise, 64-bit "extended system" versions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP are being bumped to the first half of next year, too.

Windows Server 2003 SP1 is intended to improve the security, reliability, and performance of Microsoft's flagship server operating system.

Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Extended Systems and Windows XP for 64-bit Extended Systems are designed to work on computers powered by new chips from Intel and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. that have the flexibility to process in both 32-bit and 64-bit modes.

A Microsoft spokeswoman, in an E-mail message, did not give a reason for the delay.