【MyDrivers News】Today, Microsoft released the latest Windows XP SP3 beta version to MSDN and TechNet subscribers. It also provided a technical white paper on Windows XP SP3.
Previously, the testing scope of XP SP3 had been expanded from 12,000 people to 15,000 people, and this new round of testing has almost become public. Microsoft stated that the fully public beta version of XP SP3 still needs some time, with the final official release vaguely scheduled for the first half of next year. Moreover, "customer feedback is (Microsoft's) top priority, which may also cause the release schedule to change at any time."
Perhaps we can only hope that these "changes" include not only delays but also advancements.
The simultaneously released white paper provides a technical overview of XP SP3, including what it is, which existing features have been improved, which new functions have been added, and how to install it, among other details.
According to this white paper, XP SP3 will integrate the following already-released functional service components: MMC 3.0, MSXML6, Windows Installer 3.1 v2, BITS 2.5, IPsec Simple Policy Update, DIMS, PNRP 2.1, WPA2. New additions will include: black hole route detection, Network Access Protection (NAP), detailed text descriptions of security options, enhanced security for administrator and service policy entry points, kernel-mode encryption algorithm module, and Windows Product Activation.
Microsoft also pointed out that XP SP3 is a cumulative upgrade that can replace XP SP1/SP2, supporting all languages and versions of Windows XP, but is limited to the x86 version. Windows XP x64 users are advised to deploy Windows Server 2003 SP2.
Official Download Link for Windows XP SP3 White Paper (PDF, 326KB)