XP Service Pack 3 release candidate ready to download

While Microsoft is quick to downplay XP when comparing it to Vista, the legacy OS continues to shackle the hearts (and systems) of many. Fortunately, Microsoft just opened up their XP service pack 3 release candidate for general download -- that means you. SP3 RC was previously only available by invitation. Now get going, you'll need time to download all 336MBs of the last major update to the six-year old OS.

P.S. This is a "release candidate." The final SP3 release isn't expected until the first half of 2008.

[Via PC World]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2007 4:09PM]

i installed the RC1 and my startup seems slower than with SP2. i also had some software/hardware failure problem for some reason; if it continues i'm going back to SP2.

will try disabling all startups for now and see how RC1 performs for the next few days.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 27th 2007 2:17PM]

Glad i actually paid for my copy of windows. A few of my friends call me and ask how to get around genuine activation.