Microsoft has released Windows XP SP3 to manufacturers, which means it should start making its way to OEM and enterprise customers. What that means for you the consumer is that pretty soon you'll be able to purchase computers running Windows XP SP3 instead of SP2. That is, if Microsoft lets companies continue selling machines running Windows XP after the original June cutoff date.As expected, the final version of Windows XP SP3 will also be available to existing customers through Windows Update on April 29th. The company will also update all of its Windows XP online documentation at that point.
If you can't wait that long, you can go ahead and download the latest release candidate of SP3, which has been available for almost a month now. We've been running it for a while now and it seems pretty stable.
[via ZDNet]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-21-2008 @ 9:58PM
steven said...
Is the RC version identical to the final release?
Reply
4-22-2008 @ 6:50AM
michas_pi said...
No, that's why it's a release candidate. It, too, has bugs that will be fixed in the final version.
That said, I had a ton of trouble with RC2. When my computer idled (not really, I run two copies of Folding@Home) it would randomly BSOD with the wonderfully descriptive "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL". I rolled back to Service Pack 2 and eagerly await Service Pack 3.
4-22-2008 @ 12:34PM
kastonie said...
but will it help my computer run doom?
Reply
5-05-2008 @ 1:08PM
Shadow said...
That's doubtful.
Doom 3 requires at least a Gig of Ram, a nVIDIA graphics card, and plenty of memory dedicated to games to run without any lag.
I bought Vista, it runs it alright.
My XP still runs Doom 3 better though. With my modifications.
Get an AlienWare computer ;P Just the factory settings will get Doom to run smoothly. Lol
4-22-2008 @ 12:44PM
Mark said...
"No, that's why it's a release candidate. It, too, has bugs that will be fixed in the final version."
Wrong, a release candidate means just what it sounds like, it is deemed ready for release bar any further bugs. If none are found then the last RC is indeed the same as the final.
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4-22-2008 @ 3:10PM
philosopherdog said...
Thanx for the info on the RC version. So, I guess the question still remains "is the RC version the same as the final release in this case"? Why update if it turns out to be an outdated version. Anyone have the answer to this?
4-22-2008 @ 5:31PM
RP said...
Release candidate RC2 had bugs, so wait for SP3 next week.
4-22-2008 @ 3:09PM
Webslinger said...
What about user modded themes that work for SP2, will 3 support all of that, and is there any visual changes?
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