Microsoft is taking a similar testing tactic as with Vista SP1: Make a crucial release candidate broadly available for testing Windows Update delivery. Microsoft tested SP1 Windows Update delivery in mid-January. The Vista update released to manufacturing a few weeks later.
The RC2 Windows Update test signifies that Microsoft is near the final testing stages for Service Pack 3. Microsoft is expected to make Vista SP1 broadly available sometime in March. It’s reasonable to presume that SP3’s release is imminent, perhaps around the time of SP1, or even sooner. I’m expecting sooner rather than later, unless there are last-minute glitches.
Windows Server 2008’s big launch is next Thursday. Microsoft has released a bunch of service packs so that major products are prepared for new server software. SP3 is part of the process for syncing up XP for Windows Server 2008. In ideal circumstances, Microsoft should release XP SP3 no later than Feb. 27.
While there has been big noise about Vista SP1, XP SP3 is much more important to many more enterprises. Windows XP is everywhere, and Vista is in just a few places, comparatively. I still expect XP SP3 to impede Vista deployments, seeing as how many more enterprises run the older Windows version.
XP SP3 download information is available here.
Posted under Software, Tech News
This post was written by Veg on February 20, 2008
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