Microsoft releasing XP SP3 this week?
By Ryan Block 
posted March 23rd 2008 4:28PM
posted March 23rd 2008 4:28PM
XP may not EOL until this June, but that doesn't mean it's not in need of the same kind of tender lovin' update packs as OSes of every variety occasionally receive. And according to CRN, the long awaited XP SP3 could be due out as early as tomorrow, or possibly later this week. We'll keep an eye out -- we know it's hard to let XP go.[Thanks, Khattab]
Update: We hate to be the bearers of bad news but we've already heard that things might not be so optimistic for such an early release. Sources tell us that there still might be some show-stopping issues with SP3 that could prevent it from staying stable (and thus seeing immediate rollout). We'll be watching, as always.
I don't know, can we trust the code on this site to even display the poster's name reliably otherwise?
I'm going to install this on a test system before any production systems - I fear uncle Fester (AKA Ballmer) is going to throw a monkey wrench into SP3 so Vista doesn't look like such a turd in comparison.
Wow, were there any actual comments about SP3 in here??
Evidently, someone at MS screwed up and it was up early. I downloaded it from the regular downloads page..
Enjoy?
I'm very disappointed that all that money, effort and time gave us something so pathetic as Vista. I use XP with WindowBlinds, and my computer looks WAY better than Vista, and the performs much better as well. The bells and whistles are better performed by third party applets. Vista seems to much more occupied with protecting MS's property rights and the promotion of DRM than offering its customers any genuine advantage. So why are we paying for it?
I specifically put the question of 'Why Vista - why bother to make it at all?' to a number of high profile tech people, and the responses ranged from 'I don't know' to the MS standard line of improved security, except that to anyone who handle basic security it is no advantage at all, but it is very invasive.
SP3 doesn't offer any additional functionality as far as I can tell.
I've been using SP3 RC1/2 on my machines for over a month now, and the performance is quite commendable--especially when combined with the ongoing work over at nLite. Hopefully the final release will iron out a couple of the remaining rough edges.
There are a couple nagging issues, though. Microsoft didn't include the Daylight Savings 2008-2009 hotfix with SP3, and doesn't offer a separate hotfix for it (imagine the timing! ha ha). And some driver issues previously addressed in SP2 are requiring completely new hotfixes all over again...
That is why they are labeled as Release Candidates and not actual releases.
Yes, but Microsoft's KB says they have no plans to include those hotfixes in the final version, for whatever reason.
What SP is Win95 on? Like 21? 28?
He who doesn't learn history is doomed to repeat it.
None. None was ever released, and support for 95 ended long ago. Nice troll, though.
Meh, I know at least 1 SP came out for 95, I installed it.
Well, mah bad. There was one of the older Windows systems that had an amazing amount of SP's.
Nice article Engadget. SP3 is coming out, or maybe not.
I'm sure it wont make any difference anyways when it comes out to users. Just like Vista SP1 didn't make any changes. My system sees 4GB of RAM instead of 3GB thats about it. SP1 made no difference on my Vista box. Im tired of people falling for the placebo effect saying SP1 made this 'huge difference'. Not true. Never had a problem on any of my machines XP, OS X or Vista.
Maybe its a layer 8 problem. heh.
I really hope Windows XP SP3 will come tomorrow :)
How about Vista gets an EOL in June and we just keep XP SP3 until Windows 7 (which I am sure will suck just as much)
ummmmm i have sp3 and i downloaded it off of microsofts website like last month...?
Dude that was beta hopefully Microsoft could release it tomorrow
I love you guys ... I really mean that :-)
Not going to Vista unless I'm forced when buying a new machine.
Even then, I might wipe it and install XP.
Microsoft has its paid backers, bloggers and commenters out there pushing for Vista, but that doesn't make it functioning software.
Even the bloggers they bribed with laptops have mostly switched back.
from the looks of it SP3 isn't major update that will contain anything the average user will ever notice... much more of a way to offer a quicker streamlined install new xp users or new installers.
I switch between XP, and Vista every so often depending on the computer I use, and although I like Vista more, I still feel better knowing that my XP computer will have some performance boosts coming along soon.
It's served me for years, and it's still going strong. No problems with XP. :D .
oh well, maybe next time.
Windows XP will be around for another year, for certain. Especially if the economy is weak. I doubt if there will be a lot of companies or consumers upgrading computers just in order to run Vista. I'm not knocking Vista, I'm merely giving props to Windows XP.
maybe...
wait...so...it's not out already?
Then what did I download a few weeks ago? My msinfo says I'm running Windows XP home edition version 5.1.2600 service pack 3 v.3264 build 2600
I got it from Microsoft.com. Is this a beta or something?
Yes. Hence why there's a version number.
what if i dont update?
Then death will come quickly! Eh, he, he, he, he!!
What do they mean by show stoppers?
Waiting for Windows 7 I guess. Hopefully it's worth the wait.
This SP3 looks like a cheap shot at refreshing the XP lineup. I think all it really gives to anyone, is a streamlined installation. I won't be installing SP3. My XP runs just fine, and that is only with 512MB RAM, and no dedicated video memory. I will be buying a labtop, and maybe dual-booting. I just can't see me loosing XP. It is a shame that "Nearing its End" (Microsoft States something about what is already happening. Try to buy a Dell with XP, or even any other computer. You gotta jump through hoops. )..
BTW, for the reader who was talking about Office 2007, and wanting the old stlye menus. Here is what you are looking for:
http://www.addintools.com/english/menuoffice/
I have used it and it works great!
Back to Vista.. Looking at Windows Seven, I really don't know what Microsoft is up to lately.. Drugs?
Fom dominating the world to the gutter?
I am only confused by the comment of a release date, since I have had SP3 installed for over a month now. It fixed a couple of issues that have been plaguing me for almost a year.
Long Live XP
"there still might be some show-stopping issues with SP3 that could prevent it from staying stable (and thus seeing immediate rollout)"
Since when did that stop M$ before!!
When has instability ever stopped Microsoft from releasing software?
XP SP3 was released to manufacturing on 21 April and will be on Windows update next week ( http://www.markwilson.co.uk/blog/2008/04/at-last-a-new-service-pack-for-xp.htm ).