Desktop OSs Reviews
13,657 Reviews

Windows XP SP3 review

FREE

Manufacturer: Microsoft

Our Rating: We rate this 3.5 out of 5 User Rating: Our users rate this 3 out of 10

By | 27 February 08

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), just out from Microsoft as Release Candidate 2 (RC2), may not necessarily be worth the download now, but when it's finally released, it'll be worth the effort.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), just out from Microsoft as Release Candidate 2 (RC2), may not necessarily be worth the download now, but when it's finally released, it'll be worth the effort.

Related Articles

Windows XP SP3 won't make any noticeable cosmetic changes to your operating system, but underneath the hood are several security improvements worth having.

In addition, one researcher claims Windows XP SP3 will slightly boost XP's speed as well.

Microsoft is using an interesting method to distribute Windows XP SP3. You don't download it as a separate .exe file - instead, you download a small executable file that, when run, changes your Registry so that Windows Update will download Windows XP SP3. If you are comfortable with editing the Registry, you can instead use a hack to tell your Registry to download SP3.

The actual download of Windows XP SP3 weighs in at 65.6MB. Once we downloaded it, it took about 30 minutes to install on a 1.83GHz Core Duo laptop with 1GB of RAM. Reboot after the install, and you're in business.

Don't bother looking around for any visible changes to the operating system; you won't find any. You'll have to go to System Properties and check your OS version just to make sure Windows XP SP3 installed properly.

Microsoft claims there is one, exceptionally minor interface change - according to the Release Notes, a Security Options Control Panel applet "offers more descriptive text to explain the settings and prevent incorrect configuration of settings". Doesn't make the pulse race, does it?

But we couldn't find even that - our version of XP doesn't seem to have the applet in question.

One of the biggest changes to XP won't affect people who already have the operating system - it's to do with product activation and Genuine Advantage, Microsoft's way of validating its OS. Before Windows XP SP3, when you installed XP for the first time, you had to enter a valid product key or else you couldn't install the operating system. With SP3, you'll be able to install XP for 30 days without the key.

If you already have XP, of course, you won't need a product key to upgrade to Windows XP SP3, so it won't really affect upgraders.

NEXT PAGE: Security changes > >

Microsoft Windows XP SP3 Expert Verdict »

1 3 next »

Post Review

Reviewed by lovebug on Friday 10 October 2008

1 star rating

Duration of ownership: 2 weeks

Strengths:
looking for any stable one.

Weaknesses:
SP3 is a headache

Overall Evaluation:
I had 2 xp sp2 machines (one valid and one pirated) - Pirated one was in great condition, no issues at all, was working better then geniune one. crashed after upgrade and required to reinstall the windows again. -Geniune one lost its wireless capabiltiy after sp3 upgrade. finally uninstalling sp3 made me back in business.

Reviewed by n1ckbarker on Monday 03 March 2008

5 star rating

Duration of ownership: 7 days

Strengths:
Performance, stability and still works with AD

Weaknesses:
I have so far noticed no weaknesses.

Overall Evaluation:
Saved hours of updates from one of our sp2 cd's. Anyone that has a wrecked system most likely had a wrecked system before an update. I have noticed a slight increase on office speeds, but that maybe the placebo effect. Already slipstreamed onto an install cd. Saves loads of time.

Reviewed by noddingdonkey on Saturday 01 March 2008

5 star rating

Duration of ownership: 6 months

Strengths:
Speeds computer up nicely

Weaknesses:
None

Overall Evaluation:
This is an exellent little gem which has sped up the time xp takes to boot as well as improving access time to applications. ive dual booted xp and vista for just under a year and still predominantly use xp due to the annoying network issue and minor non-compatability issues which still exist. well done microsoft

Reviewed by richwoo on Thursday 28 February 2008

1 star rating

Duration of ownership: 2 days

Strengths:
?

Weaknesses:
slowed my computer right down.

Overall Evaluation:
It virtually wrecked my machine. I managed to uninstall and get back to SP2. I shall wait a bit after the issue of the final version before I install again.

Windows XP
Windows XP Home Edition
Windows XP Home Edition N
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Windows XP Professional Edition
Windows XP Professional N
Windows XP Service Pack 1
Windows XP Service Pack 2
Windows XP Starter Edition
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Overall: We give this item 7 of 10 overall

The bottom line? If you're an IT pro and need to test out Windows XP SP3 before its official launch, it's worth trying out now. Others might as well wait for the final version - there's nothing that's an absolute must-have right now, but the improved security will be worth it in the long run.

There are currently no price comparisons for this product.
  • Windows Server 2008 review

    Windows Server 2008

    Microsoft's long-awaited Windows Server 2008 delivers advancements in speed, security and management, but its virtualisation and network-access control features come up short.

  • Windows Vista SP1 review

    Windows Vista SP1

    The final version of Vista SP1 focuses on under-the-hood improvements to reliability, security, and performance, with very few changes made to the interface or Vista's features.

  • Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate

    Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate

    The just-released Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate (RC), like the previous beta, does more to improve the internal plumbing of Windows Vista than it does to make any major changes to the interface.

  • Microsoft Windows 7 Security Edition review

    Microsoft Windows 7 Security Edition

    We take a first look at the Release Candidate for Windows 7 Security Edition. Where other versions have promised enhanced security, this version could even deliver.

  • Windows Vista Business Edition

    With the Business Edition of Windows Vista, you lose the natty multimedia tools of Home Premium but gain solid business-oriented capabilities such as some better backup tools and Remote Desktop.

Share this article



Comments

Send to a friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:

PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.