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Microsoft SP3 for Windows XP Imminent [UPDATED]

Microsoft SP3 for Windows XP Imminent [UPDATED]

by , 3:50 PM EDT, March 24th, 2008

Microsoft has posted an overview of what to expect in Windows XP, Service Pack 3 (SP3). The last scheduled update of the Windows XP system includes only a small number of new functionalities. The update can be applied directly to SP2 or SP1 systems.

"Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers’ experience with the operating system," according to Microsoft.

The update can be applied to: Windows XP, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Home Edition N, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional Edition, Windows XP Professional N, Windows XP Service Pack 1, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Starter Edition and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

The overview page has a link to a PDF file which explains what's in the Service Pack, new and enhanced functionality, and how to deploy. Some beta testers have reported modest (10 percent) speed gains.

When the Service pack is released, Mac users who have been running Windows XP in virtualization will find the single service pack a handy way to bring their guest Windows OS completely up to date. Microsoft told TMO that they've only promised SP3 for "first half" of 2008, but many industry observers believe it will be well before June 30.

The public preview of XP SP3 labelled RC2 is available for download and user feedback.

Microsoft has also released Vista SP1 for download.

[Mar 25: This article was updated with addition information from Microsoft for clarity.]

Observer Comments

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Close Name:Guest
Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:49 pm Subject: Still no IE7 by default though...
Close Name:Guest
Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:51 pm Subject: Released?

when will it be released?


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Close Name:vftk Posts: 14 Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:02 pm Subject: How many versions?

I began to lose the will to live halfway through that third paragraph!


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Close Name:geoduck Posts: 1922 Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:25 pm Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Windows XP SP3 does not include
Windows Internet Explorer

And that's a good thing. I've used IE7 and found it to be simply awful. True it's marginally more stable than IE6 but the interface is a disaster, and there are enough new bugs to make up for any improvement. My company and a LOT of others are skipping this piece o' crap and staying with IE6.

I'm guessing that MS knew that if SP3 forced IE7 they would be dealing with a LOT of people skipping SP3.


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Close Name:xmattingly Posts: 266 Joined: 31 Jul 2007
Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:42 pm Subject: Documentation?

I found it interesting that the white paper was released as a PDF, as opposed to to a Metro/XML or World document.


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Close Name:Guest
Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:41 pm Subject: I E 7

Get on to Safari 3 for Windows and use something fast and stable with no dumb phishing or fishing or whatever!


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Close Name:Guest
Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:59 pm Subject: IE7

I find IE7 to be more stable than IE6 and Firefox and I find the interface (with the exception of the History arrangement) to be far superior to both as well.


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Close Name:Guest
Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:23 pm Subject: so is winxp SP3 5503 ready for prime time?

last week's news that XP SP3 RC 5503 that's been available via torrent download, a lot has been asking:

"so is winxp SP3 5503 ready for prime time?"

can anyone who has tried DL & installing this rc5503 a relatively stable, and usable version?

thanks


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Close Name:LaurieF -   TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3547 Joined: 15 Jun 2001
Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:54 pm Subject:

Go and ask that on a Windows board - not here. No one here is *really* that interested.


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Close Name:Guest
Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:10 pm Subject: ie7

how to turn back to ie6. help me.. ie 7 is to slow


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Close Name:LaurieF -   TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3547 Joined: 15 Jun 2001
Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:30 am Subject:

How can I put this politely? Umm - why would we care?


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Close Name:gslusher Posts: 2088 Joined: 13 Nov 2002
Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:58 am Subject: Re: ie7

Quote
Anonymous wrote:
how to turn back to ie6. help me.. ie 7 is to slow


It appears that you need more help than just turning back to IE 6, starting with remedial 4th Grade grammar and spelling. Go find a 10-year-old to help you. Once you've learned that sentences start with capitals and end with single periods and that "too" has two o's, hie thee to a Windows forum, where someone might be able to help and might even care. Windiot.


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Close Name:Guest
Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:40 am Subject: mac lovers are simply ignorant snotty snobs

mac lovers are simply ignorant snotty snobs who believe their macs are made of magic powder and not the same transistors like everything else.


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Close Name:Intruder -   TMO Mac Specialist Posts: 3149 Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:08 am Subject: Re: mac lovers are simply ignorant snotty snobs

Quote
Anonymous wrote:
mac lovers are simply ignorant snotty snobs who believe their macs are made of magic powder and not the same transistors like everything else.


Your use of the word ignorant is so ironic!


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