Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft
Windows XP SP3 now available through Windows Update
by Brad Linder May 6th 2008
If you've got Windows XP SP2, you might want to check the good ole Windows Update page today. A week after delaying the launch of Windows XP SP3, Microsoft today released the update through Windows Update. That means even if you don't go out of your way to download it, there's a good chance you'll wind up downloading the service pack in the next few days if your computer is configured to install automatic updates.
The reason Microsoft pushed back the launch for a week was because the company found an incompatibility with its Dynamics Retail Management System. If you're a business owner using that software, Microsoft has added a filter that will keep your system from automatically downloading SP3.
Most of the changes in SP3 are under the hood, meaning you may or may not really notice any changes once SP3 is installed. But along with a few new features like Network Access Protection and Black Hole router detection, the service pack includes pretty much every important security update and hotfix since SP2, so we'd highly recommend installing it. If you want all the gritty details, you can check out Microsoft's overview of all the major updates included in SP3.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ben said 8:02PM on 5-06-2008
is it a good idea to update to sp3 if you have antivirus software because as far as i know, none of them are compatible with sp3 yet. I know avg(what i have) is not. should i try to update anyway and see what happens?
Reply
Insomnious said 9:46PM on 5-06-2008
I installed the SP3 download from a CNET link a few days ago, and NOTHING whatsoever has gone wrong. Norton Internet Security 2007 works as it ever did. To be honest, I've noticed anything different.
I'm pretty sure MS wouldn't release SP3 onto their update page if it wasn't compatible with antivirus software. I'd like to know who told you that.
ben said 9:45PM on 5-06-2008
well i looked on avg's website and it said it was only compatible with sp2, it didnt mention sp3 and thats why im kind of nervous to go and download it.
Insomnious said 9:46PM on 5-06-2008
To be honest, it's probably that AVG haven't updated their site yet, or haven't fully tested SP3 yet. If it wasn't compatible, they'd definitely be a warning advising you of it. As far as I'm aware, it's possible to uninstall SP3. Might be a good idea to make a System Restore point too.
ben said 11:39PM on 5-06-2008
hey so i did what you said and everything seems to work fine! i mean it took a hell of a long time but it did work. though for some reason the first time i tried to install the update it failed, so i stopped a couple of programs (av, firewall, antispyware) and then it worked!
T said 8:02PM on 5-06-2008
This is coming through Automatic Updates today (for me).
Reply
Transcontinental said 8:42AM on 5-07-2008
We've installed KIS 2009, but after XP SP3. They seem to go along very well ...
Reply
Larry said 4:06PM on 5-13-2008
I downloaded and installed SP3 today on my Dell laptop and so far I have not discovered any problems. I haven't noticed much improvement, either. At least my machine still works.
However, I was sweating bullets while the machine rebooted after the SP3 install. After 5 minutes of a lengthy reboot, my desktop appeared and all is well. I think.
Reply