Service packs are used to distribute software updates and
to keep a product current. Service packs include updates and may include the
following that are bundled for easy download:
- System administration tools
- Drivers
- Additional components
Service packs are cumulative. Each new service pack contains
any new fixes. Additionally, all the fixes that are in previous service packs
are included. You do not have to install a previous service pack before you
install the latest service pack. For example, you do not have to install the
Microsoft .NET Framework Service Pack 1 (SP1) before you install the Microsoft
.NET Framework Service Pack 2 (SP2). You do not have to install the Microsoft
.NET Framework Service Pack 2 before you install the Microsoft .NET Framework
Service Pack 3 (SP3).
For additional information
about how to determine whether a service pack is installed, click the following
article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
318785
Determine whether service packs are installed on the .NET Framework