Microsoft lets everyone try Windows XP SP3

Dashken · 19th Dec 2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Microsoft announced Tuesday that it would post the release candidate of Windows XP Service Pack 3 to its download site this evening at approximately 6 p.m. Eastern time.

The move marks the first opportunity for all users of the six-year-old operating system to try out its final upgrade. Previously, several thousand users were given access to test builds of SP3 only by Microsoft's invitation.

According to a company spokeswoman, the version that debuts Tuesday, dubbed a "release candidate" to note progress from earlier betas, will be available from the Microsoft Download Center. She was unable to say when the service pack would post to Windows Update so users can download and install it with the company's update service, however.

The final version of Windows XP SP3 remains slated for delivery sometime in the first half of 2008, the spokeswoman said. She also warned off casual users from trying the preview. "As this is a release candidate, we strongly encourage only those who are comfortable installing prerelease code to download Windows XP SP3," she said.

Recently, Microsoft has been downplaying the significance of Windows XP SP3. In a white paper posted to its Web site last week and also Tuesday, the company praised Windows Vista at XP's expense, reminding users that "Vista provides the most advanced security and management capabilities of any Windows operating system."

"Windows XP SP3 does not bring significant portions of Windows Vista functionality to Windows XP," the spokeswoman said.

According to the white paper, the Download Center version of XP SP3 will weigh in at about 580MB; the version downloaded and installed via Windows Update, however, will be much smaller, typically around 70MB.

Windows XP debuted in October 2001 and was last updated as SP2 in August 2004; SP3 will be the final major upgrade of the operating system.

Source: Microsoft lets everyone try Windows XP SP3 | IDGSister | News | December 18, 2007 | By Gregg Keizer, Computerworld, IDG News Service

belikethat · 20th Dec 2007, 02:16 AM

anyone on SP3 yet?

Chai · 20th Dec 2007, 07:55 AM

I will wait for the final version.

Mac Daddy · 20th Dec 2007, 07:57 PM

Same here I don't do RC's or Beta's from MS the final release is usually bad enough

Adrian Wong · 20th Dec 2007, 10:01 PM

Well, if your Windows XP is already fully patched, there's really no need to upgrade to SP3.

Dashken · 22nd Dec 2007, 03:57 PM

I think I'll install RC1 on my new pc.

1031982 · 23rd Dec 2007, 12:16 PM

I have to question why IE7 and WMP11 are not combined with SP3. Now, I don't know much on integrating WMP11, but I know MS announced IE7 will not be integrated. I LOVE havening a slipstream XP install disk, with that stuff already there. I know I can add IE7, but WMP11 tends to be a little off with some of the ID stuff. Not sure why, but I had problems and MS said don't integrate it.

Mac Daddy · 23rd Dec 2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Well, if your Windows XP is already fully patched, there's really no need to upgrade to SP3.

And it is

Mac Daddy · 23rd Dec 2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1031982

I have to question why IE7 and WMP11 are not combined with SP3. Now, I don't know much on integrating WMP11, but I know MS announced IE7 will not be integrated. I LOVE havening a slipstream XP install disk, with that stuff already there. I know I can add IE7, but WMP11 tends to be a little off with some of the ID stuff. Not sure why, but I had problems and MS said don't integrate it.

Wish I could help but I refuse to use IE7 or WMP11 I haven't used IE in almost 5 years and WMP in 3.

Sorry I can't be of more help ...

Adrian Wong · 23rd Dec 2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1031982

I have to question why IE7 and WMP11 are not combined with SP3. Now, I don't know much on integrating WMP11, but I know MS announced IE7 will not be integrated. I LOVE havening a slipstream XP install disk, with that stuff already there. I know I can add IE7, but WMP11 tends to be a little off with some of the ID stuff. Not sure why, but I had problems and MS said don't integrate it.

I think at least part of the reason is legal in nature. If I'm not mistaken... Microsoft is prohibited from integrating IE and WMP into Windows in Europe...

20th Dec 2007, 02:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
belikethat Active Join Date: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 516 Reputation: 58 Rep Power: 3	anyone on SP3 yet? __________________ Control Panel Settings & Options Edit Signature

20th Dec 2007, 07:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 26,975 Reputation: 4108 Rep Power: 74	I will wait for the final version. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

20th Dec 2007, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my ASUS F8V notebook! Posts: 30,382 Reputation: 3147 Rep Power: 68	Well, if your Windows XP is already fully patched, there's really no need to upgrade to SP3. __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

22nd Dec 2007, 03:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dashken Administrator! Join Date: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Penang Posts: 29,820 Reputation: 2162 Rep Power: 56	I think I'll install RC1 on my new pc. __________________ \| Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 @ 3.2Ghz \| ASUS P5B-E Plus \| G.SKILL 2x1GB DDR2 800 \| 6 HDDs (2TB+ only ) \| NVIDIA GeForce 7600GT \| Dell E248WFP 24" Widescreen \| Blog : Dashken's I-Blog Gallery : Dashken's I-Paintings

23rd Dec 2007, 12:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
1031982 Super Active Join Date: 25 Feb 2003 Location: USA Posts: 1,585 Reputation: 285 Rep Power: 9	I have to question why IE7 and WMP11 are not combined with SP3. Now, I don't know much on integrating WMP11, but I know MS announced IE7 will not be integrated. I LOVE havening a slipstream XP install disk, with that stuff already there. I know I can add IE7, but WMP11 tends to be a little off with some of the ID stuff. Not sure why, but I had problems and MS said don't integrate it. __________________ Running : Gigabyte EP45-DS3R, Intel E7200 C2D, 2GB DDR2 Dual Channel, WD Raptor 74GB, WD 500 GB HDD, ASUS 16X DVD-ROM, LiteOn 16X DVD+/-RW, 1.44 MB Floppy, ATI Radeon HD 3450, Dell 2005FPW, and a SB Audigy2 ZS PRO with Logitech Z5300e speakers.

20th Dec 2007, 07:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mac Daddy Pickin' Da Gitfiddle Join Date: 19 Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2,049 Reputation: 802 Rep Power: 12	Same here I don't do RC's or Beta's from MS the final release is usually bad enough

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