Grab Windows XP SP3 a little early

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Grab Windows XP SP3 a little early

by Brad Linder Apr 28th 2008

Microsoft is set to release Windows XP SP3 through Windows Update tomorrow. But if you just can't wait to get your hands on the latest and greatest OS update from Microsoft (not that Vista isn't great...), it looks like a number of folks have found the download links that will let you grab the update from Microsoft's servers.

Microsoft released SP3 to manufacturers last week, and shortly after that, you could find the service pack on a variety of BitTorrent sites. But we've always been a bit wary of downloading something as important as an operating system update from BitTorrent. There's always a chance you're really downloading a trojan packed up to look like a service pack installer.

Note that the full installer weighs in at just over 300MB. If you wait to get SP3 through Windows update, there's a good chance your download will be significantly smaller since you probably already have some of the updates included in SP3 on your PC. The service pack includes a number of features and hotfixes that Microsoft has already released to SP2 customers.

The link above provides a download link for the English version of SP3. If you're looking for Chinese, German, French, Russian, or Japanese download links, GHacks has you covered.

In related news, Microsoft says it absolutely, positively has no plans to keep selling Windows XP after June 30th, despite recent comments from Steve Ballmer that seemed to indicate the company might reconsider. Meanwhile, Dell plans to continue offering Windows XP for a few more years by selling customers Windows Vista licenses and then giving them the option to downgrade to XP.

Tags: sp3, windows-update, windows-xp

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Todd said 2:20PM on 4-28-2008

"...Steve Ballmer indicated the company might consider continuing to offer XP for years to come...".

"Meanwhile, Dell plans to continue offering Windows XP for a few more years by selling customers Windows Vista licenses and then giving them the option to downgrade to XP."

So is this proof enough that Vista is the biggest new product failure, EVER, in the history of commerce?

Mysterius said 11:01PM on 4-28-2008

Short answer: No.

But I assume you're not actually being serious.

Webslinger said 2:28PM on 4-28-2008

are there any visual differences for the update?

Gardiner Westbound said 3:41PM on 4-28-2008

The download produces an error message one of the files contained in it is not a Microsoft file and quits.

nidx said 8:09PM on 4-28-2008

Thanks a lot this will help me a LOT on new xp setups as a tech

Deluxo said 11:01PM on 4-28-2008

Just rand the SP3 update, everything appears to work fine.

david l baritell said 2:37PM on 4-29-2008

HI: I PUT IN XP-SP3 AND I TO REFORMAT THE COMPUTER . SO BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DAVE

Ryan Adams said 4:33PM on 4-30-2008

SP3 will remove the IE icon from your desktop. If you want it back, read the simple hack here: http://personal.ryantadams.com/2008/04/30/restore-the-internet-explorer-desktop-icon-in-windows-xp-sp3/

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