Redmond (WA) - The third service pack for Microsoft's Windows XP operating system has reached the critical "release to manufacturing" phase, allowing computer makers and high-profile buyers/consumers to access the final version of what could be the last major XP update.

"Windows XP SP3 bits are now working their way through our manufacturing channels to be available to OEM and Enterprise customers," said said Windows release manager Chris Keroack on Microsoft's official Technet forums.

"We are also in the final stages of preparing for release to the web (i.e. you!) on April 29th, via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center," he added.

XP is the longest-running operating system for any computer platform, and with an unanticipated resistance toward Windows Vista, it is experiencing a longer shelf life than Microsoft had planned.  However, a fourth XP service pack is not currently expected.

According to the Windows XP SP3 White Paper, SP3 includes "all previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates and hotfixes, and select out-of-band releases.  For example, the service pack includes functionality previously released as updates, such as Microsoft Management Console (MMC) 3.0 and the Microsoft Core XML Services 6.0 (MSXML6)."

Microsoft is reportedly not adding significant functionality from newer versions of Windows with this service pack, and it does not include Internet Explorer 7.  The one notable exception is an upgrade to Network Access Protection (NAP), which helps organizations that use XP take advantage of some new features in the Windows Server 2008 operating system.

windows sucks.

Apr 21, 2008 16:23     

windows sucks because it's fat, becaues they can't remove function or else user will say like "they used to be able to...." and windows sucks because it cann't get fatter... or else EU is going to sue them for antritrust. so don't expect new function soon. as long as you are not number one, then you can do it like linux and steal code and re-engineer it and add it on.
ha report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -32

Can't wait for sp3

Apr 21, 2008 20:55     

Any way to get this sp3 RTM sooner then the 29th?
Kasten report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: ha

Apr 21, 2008 21:48     

I am not a fanboi or something. But trust me, if windows never rolled out as a PC OS.... everything in this world would be much different. There won't be any internet boom or google or anything fancy what you see today. Windows bridged the gap between average computer user and the tech. I don't want to flame here. But I can tell you this, which I heard from a trusted source. Back in early 90s, when linux/unix were ruling all the uni labs.. and personal computer is still not a "home equipment", @ melbourne university... all the linux/unix geeks objected of the arrival of windows to their university and tried hard keep the unix/linux default such that 'only them can access, work and do things' and make computer unpopular among common avearge university students. So.... now tell me who is evil at first ?

Alien report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Something stinks...

Apr 22, 2008 08:11     

Why would Microsoft take all this time to make a 3rd SP when they are going to dump XP in June? Why would they spend millions making this upgrade just to throw the OS and all the coding in the trash later? Something's not right and MS isn't talking! They should keep making Windows XP till the new OS comes out next year and get rid of Vista just like they ME (Mistake Edition)!
Brent report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: HA

Apr 22, 2008 12:20     

It doesn't work quite like that. You can't just remove MS and what they've done & say "there is the world without them". That's because w/o MS there would have been another company that did something similar. There surely would be number of differences today .. some probably significant .. but to say that no Google would be around .. none of today's fanciness .. and even the internet boom would be absent? Sorry, no, doesn't work that way. Would things be different today? Absolutely, be it good or bad. Very different? Surely possible. But not nearly to that kind of extent.

J report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Why 'BETA' SP3...?

May 21, 2008 11:33     

In the film and movie industry which we are in, we can't afford to jump in and install just any XP Service Pack that comes online... Everything on our systems can and will be at stake! or even lost!! I decided way back when first looking into sp2 to hold out for a year and a half before we updated our systems. No problems once all those bugs were worked out... This morning the opportunity arose once again to become 'Tempted' with the xp-sp3 updates.... Again after reading this sites post and over 20 other complaint related forums, its time once again to just sit back and let every other xp system owner who wants to 'beta' the sp3 beast... live and or in this case "Die" for us!! Our advice.. Why would you want to 'beta test' this release?... If your SP2 systems are running fine... Don't download sp3 for at least 6 months or longer.. It's just an option friends, and your XP world won't come crashing down for not downloading it....

AXION Studios report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1