Windows XP SP3 Release Timeframe

[atsaunier]

Microsoft may have inadvertantly let the cat out of the bag when it posted the General Availability (GA) date for Windows XP Service Pack 3.

In general, that posting really means nothing, because the service pack has not officially been released, in fact, its just simply stating that the RTM date is 3-31-2008. Microsoft is holding off on delivering the update to customers until at least mid-April, according to company officials and sources close to the company.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 will contain hotfixes and updates released since Windows XP SP2. It will also include an expanded set of product keys for Windows XP Professional that were originally introduced in Windows XP SP2c.

However, there are a few new features included in Windows XP SP3 and those are as follows:

Network Access Protection compatibility. Announced years ago, this feature allows Windows XP machines to interact with the NAP feature in Windows Server 2008. This functionality is built into the RTM version of Windows Vista as well.

Product Key-less install option. As with Windows Vista, new XP with SP3 installs can proceed without entering a product key during Setup.

Kernel Mode Cryptographics Module. A new kernel module that "encapsulates several different cryptographic algorithms," according to Microsoft.

"Black hole" router detection algorithm. XP gains the ability to ignore network routers that incorrectly drop certain kinds of network packets. This, too, is a feature of Windows Vista.

And that's about it. Nothing dramatic, as promised.

Microsoft has said that there will not be any integrated SP3 release for Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows XP Tablet Edition. That means you won't be able to buy or obtain a complete Windows XP Media Center Edition / Tablet Edition SP3 CD. In addition, users of Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows XP Tablet Edition will only be able to update to Service Pack 3 through Windows Update.

All languages will now be released in two waves. Earlier, Microsoft said that languages support for Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be released in three waves. What was previously identified as wave 2 and 3 have now been combined into a single wave 2.

Overall, despite what the others have said about the XP SP3 release date, don't expect to see it for about another 2 weeks (somewhere on or around April 15-18). In addition, for those of you out there using any other language than Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish you will be waiting an additional 21 days after the general availability of Windows XP SP3 to get your hands on it.

Source> Winxperts.net

[EduardValencia]

Damn

[Premgenius]

All good here, waiting patiently :D

[MGS4-SS]

We won't see SP3 for another few months by the record of things.

[ShaneSparky_YYZ]

They're delaying it so they can slow it down and make Vista look faster.. lol.. jk

Either way, it'll be good to see a new SP for an outstanding OS that's loved by many ;)

[Krome]

Dammit... been waiting for SP3 so I can format my comp

[etempest]

The lack of stand alone Sp3 for Media Center / Tablet as well as having to go via windows updates... bothers me.

Wonder how long it will take for someone to "capture" the Media Center / Tablet update that windows update pushes down and makes it stand alone.

[Dazog]

The lack of stand alone Sp3 for Media Center / Tablet as well as having to go via windows updates... bothers me.

Wonder how long it will take for someone to "capture" the Media Center / Tablet update that windows update pushes down and makes it stand alone.

just make your own slipstream.

SP3 has the files to update tablet pc and media center editions built into it.

[I HAS PICKLE]

Dammit... been waiting for SP3 so I can format my comp

Same here.

[bknittel]

SP3 has been released. You can use the downloadable package to update Media Center Edition and Tablet edition. See

http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8...%20Pack%203.pdf

[ThePitt]

how long for sp3a? and sp3b?

[Krome]

WOW!

Through the Download Center, the download size is approximately 580 MB.

[wrack]

Dammit... been waiting for SP3 so I can format my comp

+1 to that. Want to slipstream it and then format C:\ :D

[KPark214]

SP3 has been released. You can use the downloadable package to update Media Center Edition and Tablet edition. See

http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8...%20Pack%203.pdf

Don't you think if it was out there would be a download link to it. The download link provided is for the overview of what is in the SP not the actual download. DUH

[Unto Darkness]

Dammit... been waiting for SP3 so I can format my comp

Me too.

SP3 doesn't look very interesting to me [normal user]. I don't know how much more "stable" and "faster" it can get.

[Matrix XII]

It can't come fast enough

[erpster3]

perhaps you people should read this Tech ARP article on the WinXP SP3 RTM schedule:

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=521

sometime in the second half of April 2008. late April, most likely.

[Rudy]

this is going on my laptop as soon as it's released

[mipra]

I wonder if this will be as big as the SP2

[leesmithg]

I do believe that windows xp sp 3 is on windows update.

I write this due to running a cmd file that makes the registry accept windows update allowing sp3.

If you install this ->>>> XPSP3.zip

After windows update and reboot, you get this:

[]EGG[]

leesmithg - you've been able to do that registry mod for some weeks now for users to try out RC2, trouble is there's no real confimration that build 5508 of SP3 (RC2) will be the final RTM version as MS have said that they have made some small changes since that release. Just got to wait and see what version ends up being the final version and hopefully it will be here soon.

[dysmatik]

might have to actually upgrade to XP Pro from home when this comes out.

sounds great.

[leesmithg]

leesmithg - you've been able to do that registry mod for some weeks now for users to try out RC2, trouble is there's no real confimration that build 5508 of SP3 (RC2) will be the final RTM version as MS have said that they have made some small changes since that release. Just got to wait and see what version ends up being the final version and hopefully it will be here soon.

I am aware the hack has been out a few weeks.

However, it's not 3.xx.xx just 3.

Thats what I was making reference to!

[AdzzzUK]

Good point, mine is 3.V.3311 rather than just 3. Still, I'll hang around a bit longer - would love to know when it's actually going to ship though!!

[torrentthief]

thought xp sp3 was supposed to be out on 13th due to 24month support which ends in 13/04/2010? 14th today:( better be out by tomorrow i've been waiting for months to format.