Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)

Microsoft is preparing for the release of Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to mainstream users. It should be released very soon, but no official release date statement has yet been made by the company.

Since August 2004 when SP2 was released, Microsoft has released hundreds of updates for Windows XP. Windows XP SP3 is a combination of all these previously released updates. Microsoft states that, “It also provides a limited number of new and enhanced functionalities, although it does not significantly change the Windows XP experience or bring most Windows Vista functionality to Windows XP.”

Microsoft goes on the say, “The release of Windows XP SP3 are designed to, provide a new baseline for customers still deploying Windows XP, to help them avoid the inconvenience of applying individual updates.” And to, “Fill gaps in the updates users might have missed by declining individual updates when using Automatic Updates, and to deliver updates not made available through Windows Update.”

You can download the Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3 document from the Microsoft website.