XP SP3 Final

[mechmike0034]

EDIT - wrong link. The following isn't on an MS site, but the file is legit, and it is the final SP3:

http://downloads.littlbuger.info/index.php?dlid=899

I'll be slipstreaming it tonight.

Been running the beta since December with no issues...

[Jeffbx]

Hm... I think I'll wait until Tuesday for the 'official' release.

[DarkFury]

Hm... I think I'll wait until Tuesday for the 'official' release.
Same here.

[InfiniteNothing]

Any point in installing if you're up to date on your updates?

[renovation]

i wait till the first of may after all the bugs start showing up.bill gates has a poor track record on getting fix's right.

[Jeffbx]

Any point in installing if you're up to date on your updates?

Not for most people. 90% of this appears to be the accumulated security fixes from the past few years.

Here's the new functionality:



- Black hole router detection (detects & ignores routers that discard packets)
- NAP (Network access protection) - enforces minimum security requirements on your machine
- More descriptive security options (added an 'explain this setting' to a lot of the security option boxes)
- Enhanced security for admin & service policy entries
- Enhanced product activation - now like Vista's, where you can install the whole OS before it prompts you for a key


Everything else in the SP is already available via Windows Update.

[InfiniteNothing]

I wonder if they'll release some of those features through normal updates.

[Jeffbx]

According to this, they will not (http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8/7/687484ed-8174-496d-8db9-f02b40c12982/Overview%20of%20Windows%20XP%20Service%20Pack%203.pdf)

[renovation]

Enhanced product activation - now like Vista's, where you can install the whole OS before it prompts you for a key
(per jeffbx )

this don't make any sense if a person doing a service upgrade ?
what i miss here .now if you get a new copy of windows with sp3 pre installed its understandable.

look into it make sense now.
As with previous service packs, no product key is requested or required when installing Windows XP SP3 using the update package available through Microsoft Update.

[Jeffbx]

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2008/04/30/xp_sp3_delayed/


Microsoft has pulled the general release of Windows XP service pack three (SP3) at the eleventh hour, blaming a “compatibility issue” for the cock-up.

The software giant said late yesterday it was suspending mass download of the long-awaited service pack while it investigates the problem between its point-of-sale app – Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) – and both XP SP3 and Vista SP1.

It said in an email that the update, which was released to manufacturing and volume licensing customers a week ago and was supposed to be generally available from yesterday, will not be pumped out to the masses via its Windows Update (WU) website as planned until the company fixes the bug.

However, the firm hasn’t pinpointed when XP SP3 will be available, much to the chagrin of Vista-shy customers who have been patiently waiting for the update to land.

“In the last few days, we have uncovered a compatibility issue between Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) and both Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)," said the firm.

"In order to make sure customers have the best possible experience, we have decided to delay releasing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to the web.”

It also said that filtering would be put in place “shortly” to prevent WU spitting out both service packs to systems running Dynamics RMS. Once that tweak has been made, XP SP3 will be made available online.

Microsoft added that customers running its point-of-sale app, which is used mainly by small to medium-sized retailers, should swerve installing the service packs on either OS until a fix has been provided.

Redmond pushed back the release date of XP’s final service pack several times, and was supposed to be withdrawing sales of the operating system from the market at the end of June.

But earlier this month Microsoft, in a somewhat embarrassing U-turn that suggested the firm was pricking up its ears and listening to unfavourable customer feedback about Vista, said it would continue to sell Windows XP Home for bargain basement PCs beyond its scheduled 30 June kill-date .

Just last week Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer hinted that XP could be reprieved from end-of-life if enough customers demand it.

Glad I waited, but I don't see incompatibility with their point of sale app as a showstopper for 99.9% of users out there...

[Prngr44]

Got prompted to install this today...

any major screwups expected if I do?

[InfiniteNothing]

The real question is what do you have to gain?

[Prngr44]

The real question is what do you have to gain?

That too! I just ignored it for now. I usually slap the security updates on there so if it's just bundling of those and a few tweaks probably nothing to note for me.

[zippyjuan]

I have had it for a while and really don't remember noticing anything different.