Windows XP SP3 details

Windows XP SP3 is expected to be officially released this week. Last weekend, Microsoft released a detailed preview white paper titled "Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3" on its official website, explaining the content and other details of XP SP3.

Microsoft stressed that XP SP3 includes all Windows XP upgrade patches and a few new features. Installing SP3 does not significantly change the user experience of Windows XP. You should not expect SP3 to bring some features of Vista to Windows XP.

XP SP3 includes all the security, performance, and stability upgrade programs/patches since Windows XP was released, excluding IE7. Primary new functions of SP3 include:

• Black hole routing Detection

• Network access protection (NAP)

• More detailed security options Interface

• Enhanced administrator security and service policy portal

• Kernel Mode encryption module

• Windows product activation mode change: when installing Windows XP integrated with SP3, you can choose not to enter the serial number for installation, and then enter the serial number for activation later.

Windows XP SP3 can be upgraded through Windows Update or Microsoft download center. When incremental Update is performed through Windows Update, the download capacity is only about 70 MB, and the complete SP3 installation package capacity is 580 MB.

SP3 can be upgraded based on newly installed Windows XP, SP1, and SP2. It supports various versions including media center edition and Tablet PC Edition. however, only the 32-bit x86 version is supported. The upgrade package required for Windows XP for x64 is Windows Server 2003 SP2.