Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) RTM Available on Windows Update, Download Links Inside

If you like this article, please share it with your friends and contacts on Google Plus, Facebook and Twitter using following buttons so that they can also enjoy the article:

Microsoft has released the much awaited Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) final RTM version on Automatic Update and Download Center today. The SP3 RTM was delayed due to a bug in Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).

Windows XP SP3 combines all previously released performance, security, and stability updates. It also provides a limited number of new and enhanced functionalities, although it does not significantly change the Windows XP experience or bring functionality from newer versions of Windows to Windows XP.

The goals of Windows XP SP3 are to:

Provide a new baseline for customers still deploying Windows XP, to help them avoid the inconvenience of applying individual updates.
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.

Windows Vista provides the most advanced security and management capability, but for PCs that cannot be upgraded to Windows Vista right now, Windows XP SP3 ensures these PCs have all available updates and allows these PCs to leverage some new Windows Server 2008 capabilities, such as Network Access Protection (NAP).

Windows XP SP3 includes all previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates and hotfixes, and select out-of-band releases. For example, the service pack includes functionality previously released as updates, such as the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) 3.0 and the Microsoft Core XML Services 6.0 (MSXML6).

Microsoft is not adding significant functionality from newer versions of Windows, such as Windows Vista, to Windows XP through XP SP3. For instance, Windows XP SP3 does not include Windows Internet Explorer 7, although Windows XP SP3 does include updates to both Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7, and it will update whichever version is installed on the computer.

Although its available on Automatic Updates, people who want to download the standalone package can use following official links to download SP3:

Windows XP SP3 EXE File

Windows XP SP3 ISO File

Windows XP SP3 Network Installation Package

If you face problems while installing SP3, please check following articles:

Other similar articles that may interest you:

This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows XP.

If you enjoyed this article, you can subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our most popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles. If you have some news or tip to share, please send us.

Have You Checked Out Following Popular Articles?

vasudev

Vishal as you have posted & I quote :"..The SP3 RTM was delayed due to a bug in Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) which has been fixed now..."

Please Note that the compatibility issue has NOT been fixed yet. And this is what Microsoft has to say :
"As mentioned last week, we uncovered a compatibility issue between Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) and both Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1). To help protect customers, we put filtering in place to prevent Windows Update from offering both service packs to systems running Microsoft Dynamics RMS. We are still testing a fix and are working to make it publicly available via Microsoft Download Center this month.

Until then, we advise Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers to not install either service pack. Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers running Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1 should contact Microsoft Customer Support Services for additional information."
Marc

Thank you so much Vishal.
Deyaa Addeen Fahmy Shedeed

Is it sp3 only or windows XP sp3 ?
VG

^^ Its SP3 only. ;)
Hprint

this is only an update right? so nothing will change regarding my files, documents? thanks vishal
VG

^^ Yes. Its a Service pack which will update system files. It'll not interact with your personal documents.
Hprint

Vishal i got an error regarding my kernel, "kernel used to start this program is not owned by microsoft..." how do i deal with these?
Uewd

342MB????????????????????????????????????????
My internet download speed is from 10 to 15kb/s !
sonu

wow its to good
Gunjan

What should I do when I see access is denied
at the time to download office 2010 inspite of installation SP3.bat ?