• May 7, 2008 •
Microsoft Releases Windows XP Service Pack 3
By: Arie Slob
Today Microsoft released Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). SP3 includes all previously released updates for the operating system, in addition to a small number of new updates. Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) is now available for download and install via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center.
You can find the Release Notes for Windows XP SP3 on the Microsoft Knowledge Base. The release notes also contains links to a List of fixes included in Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. The Steps before you install Windows XP SP3 is also a useful document to read before you install SP3.
Right now, SP3 is available for download as a Network Installation or an Express Installation from the Windows Update Web site. The Express installation detects your system components and installs only those updates that are necessary for your computer. As a result, the number of files installed and the time required may be less for computers that already have Windows XP hotfixes installed. This method is recommended for customers who want to reduce their download time. This is for single computer installation only. If you want to install on more than one machine, choose the Network Installation.
According to Microsoft, using the Express Installation on a typical Windows XP machine will be around 66 MB. The size of the Network Installation download is 316 MB.
The Service Pack is now also available to Windows Update for interactive user installations, but I reckon that Microsoft is following a staggered release like it has done in the past, so if you don't see SP3 listed, try again after a few days.
For support, see Microsoft's Windows XP Support Center.
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