USB 2.0 Drivers for Windows XP Now Available

As promised, Microsoft has completed the long awaited USB 2.0 drivers for Windows XP. USB 2.0 support entered beta last summer, but Microsoft opted to leave the drivers out of its new operating system until they could be tested on more devices. USB 2.0 increases available bandwidth for devices to 480Mbps, making the technology ideal for high-quality video and storage.

"Microsoft has worked closely with its hardware (and software) partners - such as Adaptec, Canon, Cypress Conductor, Gateway, Intel, and NEC - to provide the necessary support for the USB 2.0 bus driver in Windows XP, driving further adoption of USB 2.0 and enabling customers to take advantage of the more than one hundred USB 2.0 devices available on the market today, as well as the hundreds of future USB 2.0 products," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews.

Windows XP Home and Professional users with USB 2.0 host controllers may download the new drivers via Windows Update. The drivers will not appear for users with systems that do not support USB 2.0. Windows 2000 drivers are expected to arrive shortly in a downloadable package, but will not be included in Service Pack 3 according to Microsoft.