The Run-Down: WinXP SP3

**Hairbautt** · 04-03-2007, 12:46 AM

“Service packs include security updates, DCRs, and Hotfixes (all updates that resolve issues discovered by customers or by the Microsoft internal testing team). Security Updates and Hotfixes are available on the current version of the service pack and for a limited time on the "immediately preceding service pack" as detailed in the Product Lifecycle Web [site]…”[1]

Lately, I have been wondering about my WinXP machine as to whether or not Microsoft plans to release another Service Pack (SP)—which would be the third in their never ending saga. Armed with the power of Google, I looked into the subject to see what I could find…

Apparently, in 2006 I took a leave of absence because all the articles I found from five minutes of searching were from that year. In January of 2006, SP3 was slated for mid-2007, but then in late 2006 Microsoft announced that it was postponing that release into 2008. Mary Jo Foley, writer for Microsoft-Watch.com and ZDNet blogger, has seemed to be the one who is keeping tabs on SP3 and has speculated that Microsoft maybe pulling the slip on consumers so that they may consider upgrading to their new Windows Vista operating system.

Microsoft has confirmed (in an article from October of ’06) that SP3 is being planned, but that Windows Vista is now their top priority.[2] According to Microsoft’s “Windows Service Pack Road Map” WinXP SP3’s estimated release date is now ‘preliminary’. Meanwhile, Windows Vista is/was set to receive SP1 later this year, but there are rumors that it may have been canceled according to an article on Softpedia.[3]

All in all, there is a planned release for SP3 which should eventually arrive within the next year or so. However, please keep in mind that Microsoft has also stated that it “is under no obligation to release even a single SP under the terms of mainstream or extended support. It is solely at their discretion to release anything but separate bug fixes when they feel like it."[4] If you ever had to reformat or reinstall windows from your default system disc (which probably contains WinXP Sp1/Sp1a), take a trip to Windows Update to see all the wonderful download collections they have to offer. Hell, even with SP2, I think there is over 50 updates. ‘Til next time – hairbautt

References/Sources:
[1]http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/servicepacks.mspx
[2]http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=54
[3]http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Vista-Service-Pack-1-Canceled-50515.shtml
[4]http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/operating_systems/windows_xp_service_pack_3_not_until_2007.html

Related Articles:

Neowin.Net: Paul Thurrott: Windows XP Service Pack 3 Not Coming
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WindowsITPro: WinInfo Short Takes: Week of April 9

Neowin.Net: XP SP3 is still on the schedule for Q1 2008
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ZDNet: Microsoft: XP SP3 is still on the schedule for first half 2008

SoftPedia: It Lives! Windows XP Service Pack 3
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Microsoft: Juniper Networks and Microsoft Announce Unified Access Control and Network Access Protection to Interoperate
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Neowin.Net: Microsoft to Release Windows XP SP3 Later This Year
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July 31, 2007

View: Microsoft Confirms Windows XP SP3 (Dated July 26)

Softpedia: What Good Does It Do to Confirm Vista SP1 and XP SP3 and Then Go Mute?

**S!X** · 04-03-2007, 12:50 AM

Thanks for the info

**emsee** · 04-03-2007, 02:14 PM

Good to know

Thanks

**j0hn** · 04-04-2007, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by Hairbautt

Hell, even with SP2, I think there is over 50 updates.

65, using sp2, and i dont have this months yet, another 3 waiting.

i dont care much for an sp3 for xp
like alot of other ppl, im going with vista once sp1 comes out. i remember switching from m.e to xp before any service packs, and i wont do that again.

**Hairbautt** · 04-05-2007, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by j0hn

Originally Posted by Hairbautt

Hell, even with SP2, I think there is over 50 updates.

i dont care much for an sp3 for xp
like alot of other ppl, im going with vista once sp1 comes out. i remember switching from m.e to xp before any service packs, and i wont do that again.

Nice, I didn't think to count the updates from Add/Remove, but I tried to go by memory when I was restoring my sister's laptop. Even with Vista SP1 I'm still reluctant to 'upgrade' because of games and other software.

Well, just games.

**lightshow** · 04-05-2007, 12:44 AM

Thanks for the write up. I was also wondering that question myself.

**Hairbautt** · 04-05-2007, 02:44 PM

I just found this on BetaNews. It deals with Vista SP1, but still offers some more insight as to why service packs are considered to be better than hotfix releases.

BetaNews: Microsoft: Ignore Third Party Vista "Service Packs"

Originally Posted by Article^

...what's bad about installing fixes created by Microsoft? Potentially quite a bit, notes White.

"These hotfixes represent specific fixes for specific customer scenarios and typically have not undergone full regression testing. When they are integrated into a future service pack, they will receive full regression testing and beta testing. So, installing a collection of unnecessary hotfixes may cause more problems than are fixed."

...Unecessary hotfixes - some are critical releases...

Looks like there is now an example of this, Neowin: Latest MS Update Causing Major Headaches

**phantom** · 04-05-2007, 08:45 PM

yap... this is the strategy... first the new born VISTA and after the old man XP...
However, XP need this SP3 because a lot of hotfixes and updates are now releases from Sp2 until today, and if u want to reinstall or to install a fresh copy of Xp u need to make a lot of updates... not so good, no?