Microsoft releases new XP SP3 test version

Microsoft said Friday that it has issued a second near-final "release candidate" version of Windows XP Service Pack 3. The move follows the company having finished the first service pack for Windows Vista.

"Yesterday, we released Windows XP SP3 RC 2 to private beta testers," the software maker said in a statement. "This release catches the build up on previously released hotfixes and responds to critical feedback from previous betas."

The software maker repeated that it plans to finalize the XP update by the end of June, but added its customary hedging that its "timing will always be based on customer feedback as a first priority."

The third (and perhaps final) service pack for Windows XP was originally expected as early as 2006, but was pushed back as the Windows team focused on getting Vista, and then Vista Service Pack 1, out the door.

[coryschulz]

SP3

Hopefully this adds more functionality to XP and makes it even more stable and secure than it already is. I'm looking into getting an iMac the next time they update the processors, so this doesn't affect me as much, but for my family and friends and other people, I hope SP3 gives them something better so they don't end up downgrading to Vista.

[Casikat030]

Maybe we can just patch xp instead of downgrading to vista

I for one refuse to downgrade to a system which requires more system resources and does less. I was a beta tester for Windows Vista before it went public and was not impressed. I've also tried the final 'retail'(more like beta) version on a friends pc. This thing is so bulky you need a solid gaming rig to run it. Could there be any more wasted resources? I Might patch to SP3 when it comes out, but I dragged my feet on getting SP2 and still wouldn't be running it if most of the current games didn't require it. I'm a gamer so eventually I'm sure I'll be forced in to an OS I can't stand and just love to hate but until that day I'll stick with xp its stable, and I already paid for it once so no point in forking over more cash to Microsoft.