Windows XP Service Pack 3

Posted on May 13th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Some of you might have already know…some maybe not yet…

Microsoft has released the final and latest update for Windows XP, Service Pack 3 for all original Windows XP users.

Highlights:

  1. Your Windows XP must be original in order to update and upgrade to SP3. There will be a verification performed prior to the update.
  2. Update is done by connect via internet to Microsoft website, using the Windows Update feature in your Startup. I am not sure if there is any other way to update or not…probably yes…but not sure.
  3. This is the last update from Microsoft for Windows XP, which is considered as the most successful and popular Windows system at the moment. Many are reluctant to go over to Windows Vista…my new PC is still installed with Windows XP and is running smooth and fast.

I did the upgrade just now and took around 30 mins to finish. Must restart computer after updating. I did not notice any changes in my Windows…maybe need to head over to Microsoft to see what are the update is all about. :P

Ok, I did a search and found the details of SP3 at wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP

Service Pack 3

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) build 5512 was released to manufacturing on April 21, 2008 and to the public via both the Microsoft Download Center and Windows Update on May 6, 2008.[30][31][32] It will be automatically pushed out to Automatic Update users around June-July 2008.[30] However, due to a compatibility issue with Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System that resulted in public availability of the service pack being delayed, Microsoft recommends that SP3 should not be applied to systems using Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System until a hotfix is available.[30][31][33] A feature set overview which details new features available separately as standalone updates to Windows XP, as well as backported features from Windows Vista has been posted by Microsoft.[34] A total of 1,174 fixes have been included in SP3.[35] Service Pack 3 can be installed on systems with Internet Explorer versions 6 or 7, and Windows Media Player versions 9 and above.[36] Internet Explorer 7 is not included as part of SP3.[37]

[edit] New features

Slipstreamed retail and OEM versions of Windows XP with SP3 can be installed and run with full functionality for 30 days without a product key, after which time the user will be prompted to enter a valid key and activate the installation. Volume license (VLK) versions still require entering a product key before beginning installation.[38]

Although service packs have, until now, been cumulative, installing SP3 on an existing installation of Windows XP requires that the computer must at least be running with Service Pack 1 installed.[39] However, it is possible to slipstream SP3 into the Windows XP setup files at any service pack level—including the original RTM version—without any errors or issues.[40] Slipstreaming SP3 into Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is not supported.[41]

Service Pack 3 does contain updates to the operating system components of Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, and security updates for .NET Framework version 1.0, which is included in these Windows XP SKUs. However, it does not include update rollups for the Windows Media Center application in Windows XP MCE 2005.[42] SP3 also omits security updates for Windows Media Player 10, although the player is included in Windows XP MCE 2005.[42] The Address Bar DeskBand on the Taskbar is no longer included due to legal restrictions. [43]

Don’t be stingy…get a genuine Windows XP and have peace of mind when upgrading/updating your Windows. ;)

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