In the first half of 2005, Microsoft will release the first service pack (SP) for Windows Server 2003, which will include security fixes introduced in Windows XP SP2, as well as new features, such as the Security Configuration Wizard. In the second half of 2005, Microsoft will release the first interim release of Windows Server 2003, code-named R2, which will include new features such as Simplified Branch Management and Streamlined Access Management. In addition, R2 could include some previously shipped feature packs, such as Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) and Windows SharePoint Services, with the base server OS.

Following R2, a “WinFX for Windows Server 2003” feature pack (not officially named) will ship six to 12 months after the corresponding Windows XP version, most likely in 2007. This feature pack will deliver support for some Longhorn features and APIs (such as the “Indigo” application-to-application messaging system) on existing Windows Server 2003 systems. A full Longhorn Server OS release will appear around the same time, built on the same code base as the Longhorn client and featuring Microsoft’s Network Access Protection and Anywhere Access.

Illustration shows most important Windows releases through 2007