XP SP-2 Updates:

It is my understanding that as of today, Microsoft was to end support for 32 bit XP SP-2.

I am running XP Home Edition, SP-2 and just downloaded/installed one of the two security updates offered.
Installed was KB2229593;
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BB-0ECF-4467-A3BA-6FB862F603C5&displaylang=en

Also available was the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool which I never use; I feel it is next door to totally worthless, at least in my experience.

Anyway, receiving the security updates was unexpected.

 

You're right-- 'as of today'. Meaning today is the final 'Patch Tuesday' in which XP SP2 new updates will be offered.

Though going forward, you'll still be able to download any updates that have now and previously been offered for that version of the OS. There's nothing to prevent that.

And it's my personal hunch that most future SP3 updates will still be valid for install on SP2-- just that they won't be listed that way, and won't have been specifically tested on SP2.

 

I believe that SP3 will be updated until 2014, yes?

 

My knowledge is that this tool is running automatically when ever you run an installer and checks for malware that might be inside, so it's inbuilt into the system. Meaning it's not a scanner that you can run as a stand-alone one.

 

You might find the stats that MS has publicly listed for the MRT interesting. A couple of items are noted @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Malicious_Software_Removal_Tool

 

F-Secure also cover this.

 

Yes, that's correct, at least according to the current MS "timeline". If I understand correctly, only critical upgrades will be offered between now and then.