Windows XP Service Pack 3 Released to Manufacturing

Chris Keroack, Release Manager, Windows Serviceability at Microsoft announced the following:

Today we are happy to announce that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) has released to manufacturing (RTM). Windows XP SP3 bits are now working their way through our manufacturing channels to be available to OEM and Enterprise customers.

We are also in the final stages of preparing for release to the web (i.e. you!) on April 29th, via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center. Online documentation for Windows XP SP3, such as Microsoft Knowledge Base articles and the Microsoft TechNet Windows XP TechCenter, will be updated then. For customers who use Windows XP at home, Windows XP SP3 Automatic Update distribution for users at home will begin in early summer. 

Thanks to everyone here who installed the public betas – you not only gave us detailed feedback but also helped each other out with timely troubleshooting. Through the beta program we found several important issues and were able to confirm some essential fixes. We couldn’t have done this without you.

We will still be monitoring this forum during the next few weeks in case you have more feedback about the release of Windows XP SP3.

 

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3214173&SiteID=17

http://blogs.technet.com/kevinremde/archive/2008/04/21/breaking-news-a-big-day-for-updates.aspx

Published Tue, Apr 22 2008 4:53 by donna

Comments

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:59 AM by Richard

# re: Windows XP Service Pack 3 Released to Manufacturing

WARNING!!! Be Aware of XP SP3 RTM!!!

Who thinks Microsoft is introducing out of the kindness of their good hearts, a new feature which I'm sure everyone wanted in XP SP3? It's called "Network Access Protection". Which Microsoft claims it basically enforces compliance with system health requirements.

What that means is in that NAP can deny network access, until you install Microsoft's own proprietary draconian stipulations source code which the public isn't allowed to review. Who wants Windows to tell Microsoft what networks your trying to gain access, unless for national security interests by the NSA, CIA or FBI? As if already having all communications spied upon, wasn't enough?

This is just another attempt of Microsoft's strategy to extend, embrace, and then extinguish all other competition. All Microsoft needs is just some excuse to show how their networks are better protected using NAP than those who don't use NAP. Then, everyone ends up installing their dependent monthly security patches. Haven't you noticed that it's become easy for Microsoft like others to run hash checksum values of your files and then take appropriate action, to report back or by claiming the file was a threat. Anyone finding the so called glitch would just hear, that the software which had accidentally corrupted your data/files or had accidentally deleted the offending data/files, was indeed just a bug. Denial from Microsoft will be the first response here, etc...

The point I'm trying to make known, is to remind everyone NOT to become dependent upon Microsoft. Especially, when Microsoft has been convicted, with it's long history of antitrust violations, for monopolistic business practices. Microsoft has frequently sought to establish proprietary monopolies--and then leverage its dominance into new, adjacent markets. There is no win-win situation here other than for Microsoft's own short sighted economic benefits.

Let me remind everyone, Microsoft’s strategy has been focused upon entering product categories involving widely used standards, extending those standards with proprietary capabilities, and then using those differences to disadvantage its competitors.

Another marketing strategy of Microsoft is a sale of Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) tactic! In addition, Microsoft creates the environment in which networks of social fanboyism employees and followers utterly devoted with obsessions work actively behind the scenes to orchestrate "independent" praises of their technology. While at the same time are bashing any perceived threats, competition or anything that prevents their dominance. If all the above doesn't work, Microsoft has a habit of killing off competitors by either buying them or their technologies.

And let's NOT forget how Bill Gates obtained a cloned design of Gary Kildall's CP/M, QDOS, from Tim Paterson of Seattle Computer products and MSDOS/IBMDOS was born.

Did you realize 486's are still usable machines if you're running something other than Microsoft's latest software?

And who wants their XP operating system to be turned into Vista DRMed machine by installing Vista like code which could lead to your computer being disabled?

What are the benefits of applying XP SP3? No real new features, only a whole lot of patches... Is this anything to get excited about?