Windows XP Service Pack 3 now on Windows Update

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 started appearing on Windows Update early this morning. Windows XP Service Pack 3 covers all previously released updates. Also included will be some private hotfixes that you could only acquire through special request. There are genuinely new features - not just patches and security updates, but services that could substantially improve system security without overhauling the kernel like with Windows Vista. These new features will not significantly change customers experience with the operating system.

Windows XP SP3 Build 5512 is the final release, also known as the Release To Manufacturing (RTM) build that made it's way to TechNet, MSDN and OEMs. Service Pack 3's size for the English release is 316MB. Other language releases may vary. There are several new features that come with SP3, they are Network Access Protection (NAP), Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module (KMCM) and the hardening of the TCP/IP stack with the new "black hole router" detection.

Network Access Protection (NAP) has been added with the release of Service Pack 3. This will help System Administrators to ensure that their network is both secure and healthy. Sysadmins will be able to set policies that determine if a computer is healthy or not by meeting set system health requirements. Examples of those requirements can be having the most recent OS updates installed, having the latest version of the anti-virus software including detection definitions, or if the computer has a host-based firewall installed and enabled.

Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module (KMCM) is a FIPS 140-1 Level 1 compliant, general-purpose, software-based, cryptographic module residing at the Kernel Mode level of the Windows Operating System. It runs as a kernel mode export driver (a kernel-mode DLL) and encapsulates several different cryptographic algorithms in an easy-to-use cryptographic module accessible by other kernel mode drivers. It can be linked into other kernel mode services to permit the use of FIPS 140-1 Level 1 compliant cryptography. It premiered in Windows 2000, and its first implementation in a Windows client was for the first edition of Vista.

Microsoft is also hardening the Windows IP stack. With this addition comes Microsoft's new "black hole router" detection. Black hole router detection is a way for routers to detect in advance the shortest path to send a large number of datagrams, without having to fragment them too seriously along the way. As it turned out, some receiving routers that were pegged by sending ones as PMTU members were responding to datagrams with "do not fragment" messages by simply throwing them out. These were referred to as "black hole routers," and have been a perennial plague to streaming operations. The new router detection scheme enables IP routers along the way to flag misbehaving PMTU candidates in advance and steer around them.

Downloads: Windows XP SP3 English | Windows XP SP3 German | Windows XP SP3 Russian | Windows XP SP3 Spanish | Windows XP SP3 Polish | Windows XP SP3 French | Windows XP SP3 Chinese
Link: Windows Update
Source: Lunarsoft

A full list of Download Links is on the Lunarsoft forums.

For those who want their custom themes back, check out the Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) UXTheme Patch.

Cool, but I was hoping for that 10% performance boost I kept hearing about.

Once installed how much space this thing suck up?

So if you are happy with Service pact 2 is it worth the download?

There's no real reason to rush to SP3, IMO.

However I'll be getting it on my other computer soon here, I'm just going to wait it out and see what people find in SP3, such a bugs/problems etc.

well as an official microsoft partner, the "official" sp3 relase hasnt happened yet and is NOT on the windows update. the only version of sp3 you can obtain is an RTM version which are not EVER released on micrsoft update site

i urge all who reads this post not to click the links which are included in this persons post and if you wish to obtain a version of the RTM head to micrsoft website youself!! MSDN only though

The file on lunarsoft is kb936929 (Release Candidate), in other words, is a BETA, do NOT install it!

David Mcnutt
MCP, MCSE, CCNP, A+, N+

And I assume XP can finally register more then 3 GB of RAM with this update?

I installed it last night and it made my system to bluescreen every time I booted it up.

"Stop:C0000139 Entry point not found
Procedure entry point gdigetbitmapbitssize could not be located in the dynamic link library GDI32.DLL"

So no SP3 for me...

unfortunatley no!

Well, I could cite at least one: reverse-engineering. It's well-known that hackers have perfected the most lazy and most effective method of creating viruses by reverse-engineering MS patches to discover the vulnerabilities that have been corrected. So while the "window of opportunity" is getting smaller with automatic updates, it is still large enough that people get infected.

It's never a good idea to voluntarily postpone an update, unless you've got reasons to believe that it'll break your system (that happens ...). So if you don't "rush", make sure that you apply it soon. A Service Pack is not a normal patch, it makes deep and profound changes that will secure your computer a (significant) little bit more.

Thanks for the info Tarun! I'll download after 9pm since it's >300Mo and I'll may get capped for the big size.

i suggest a mod close this thread or remove it as the first poster has links to a beta version, which can be buggy

get on it guys

I'm not normally one to say too much on this, but i've noticed that the op has been using various updates/programs to plug his site. now if he is doing that and this site doesn't mind, great...but at least give the people the correct info.

Ty.

/edit
not so much 'correct info'...but some user feedback is helpful. copy/paste doesn't help much. It's nice to know if the OP is using said updates, if there are any known conflicts etc..etc..

Exactly the same thing happened to me on my laptop.I had to reinstall XP but i used a copy slipstreamed with sp3 and it was fine then.I was using custom Omega drivers for my ATI graphics and i got a suspicion it was those that caused it.

There is a slightly noticable performance improvement on several aspects, including boot time.

There will be a small increase because SP3 includes some hotfixes that were not released to the public. One example is MMC 3.0.

I would highly recommend getting the update as it includes unreleased hotfixes and includes new functionality to improve performance and security.

While you may not want to rush to get it, there are definitely benefits from updating.

If you're as certified and qualified as you have claimed, then you would have researched into this and seen that SP3 is indeed out and stable.
You could also have easily downloaded the SP3 from the link on my website and checked in a Virtual Machine environment. I already have and I also checked the MD5s.

This is not a beta release, either. This is the official RTM release. The knowledge base ID number is the same. They have no reason to change it.

The MD5's are also available. MD5 checksums can be generated by MD5summer which you can get at: http://www.md5summer.org

MD5 for English Version: BB25707C919DD835A9D9706B5725AF58
MD5 for German Version: 265246926AA44BD767B0C11F80C084F1
MD5 for Russian Version: E38B5C19A3D12AE8DE0A12B1E098DD73
MD5 for Spanish Version: A3FC7285F1EE00CA57B06C6E7C875CA8

Still don't believe me? Check on MSFN.org, BetaNews, MajorGeeks, etc. They also have SP3 news posted or an article about the file.

So please don't troll in these threads.

32 bit Windows has a limitation of 4GB of RAM. If you wish to use more than 4GB you need 64 bit, including a processor that supports it.

You may want to check for viruses and other malware, and also run sfc /scannow to make sure all the files are present. You should try the same thing, Big John Thomas.

A service pack is a type of rollup for updates released over a period of time. I briefly explained this in my original writeup.
And you're quite welcome Fril. You may want to update your security thread to recommend people get this.

Sorry if it seems like I may be spamming. I've only ever posted about DirectX updates and the service packs (Vista SP1 and XP SP3). I figure it would help people who come here with issues about their computer who then see there are updates available. This is especially good for those who do not normally update their computer (manually or automatically).

To answer your question, I have been deploying Service Pack 3 across my home network and I have not encountered any issues. In fact, on one machine SP3 actually resolved a few issues! I have also been deploying this at work and not encountered any issues at all.

Yeah it's been in RTM for 8 days now, and that qualified guy is wrong. MS does release to Windows Update.

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/...4173&SiteID=17

Who you gonna believe...:hmm:

please dude, don't be sorry. it's a help, but feedback is just as helpful, if you know what I mean. even if it's bad, in a good way. ;D

Just to be sure the link was correct, I downloaded directly from Microsoft and checked the MD5. It matched the RTM that went out to OEMs, TechNet and MSDN.

I know that TechNet/MSDN users also got an ISO that was 544.86MB in size. It was a CD you could run to update to SP3 (but contained SP2 info, which is to be fixed). The SP3 release was also included on the ISO, which is why it was 540+MB.

May 6th is the official date that SP3 will show up on Windows Update. Right now it's showing up to a few people.

I certainly do. I admit I tend to be more of a "get asked a question, give an answer" type guy.

I honestly am really enjoying SP3. It literally will have a more responsive feel to it which is very nice. It took 10 minutes to install on my 3 year old computer. 2GB RAM, 3.4GHz P4 with HTT, 320GB 7200 Western Digital HDD with 16MB cache (drive is only a few months old).

I mentioned having a computer (my grandfather's notebook) that had some issues that SP3 resolved. The last time I went to update his firewall (Comodo Pro 2.4) to the latest release, it was hanging on boot and very unresponsive. So I had to remove Comodo 3 and put 2.4 back on. After updating to SP3, I was able to update to Comodo 3 without any problems at all.

He rarely shuts down his computer, he simply lets it hibernate. Even the hibernation process is much faster than before. Heck, even on his computer which has 512MB RAM and I unfortunately don't have his processor memorized, it took under 30 minutes to install. I've had nothing but positive results from updating Windows XP to SP3.

read your own article then give me a ms download link to that instead of RC2 i have been using.

your article thats them not usums yet as all i get is RC2

Nightow and Big John Thomas,

I did more research into your issues. With the help of a friend it turns out your file GDI32.dll was corrupt.

So here's what you two need to do.

Download SP3 and extract it using this command in your command prompt. It'll be easiest to put it into your C:\ directory So make a folder named xpsp3 and drop the XP SP3 exe into the folder. Be sure to rename it to make it easier to deal with. Something like xpsp3.exe will help.

We have to expand the file, so here's what we do.

In the command prompt, enter this:
This will expand it from the source file to your destination directory.

Now, download this program called Replacer.

Extract and run Replacer.

Next you'll navigate to C:\Windows\System32\ and drag the GDI32.dll file onto the command prompt when you've run Replacer.

After that you need to drag the file that you will replace the original with onto the command prompt. If you followed my directions above, you just need to go to C:\xpsp3\ and drag/drop GDI32.dll onto the Replacer window.

Replacer will take care of the rest for you.

Are you on crack? They're direct links to windowsupdate.com.

Chthon
ESQ., BFG, ABC, XYZ, 15^50, USDA Grade AAA

FORGET ANY SO CALLED RELEASE DATE BY THE OP.

HERE IS MICROSOFTS OFFICIAL LATEST WORD.

Microsoft has decided not to release Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 to Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center as planned on April 29. The reason? A last-minute compatibility issue with a Microsoft application — Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).

Here’s the latest from a company spokesperson:

NO DATE GIVEN PERIOD

Always quote your source Loviatar:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1368

It seems true, strange but still true. Just stopped the install in time (but not convinced it'd make a difference, after all it worked for Tarun).

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1368&tag=nl.e589

same place

Ok, thank you for the info but i have one more question. The new GDI32 file ends in ".dl_". Is this acceptable or will it mess up my system again?


EDIT: OMG, I just installed it when I saw those posts not to. Now I'm afraid to restart. -_-;

Everything works fine for me. Saves me ages of time when installing new machines and finding the updates

Why does it seem that you troll these kind of threads, Loviatar? That's how it appears, to me at least.

It'll be released publicly on May 6th. It is still the official Service Pack 3 release. It is FINAL. No other changes will be made. It is still safe to download and use.

Considering the links posted are direct from Microsoft, they are safe.

What you posted only concerns those who run Microsoft Dymanic RMS. You can read more about it here.

You can still put in direct link URLs (found in my original post), but you won't find it searching the catalog.

The issue for Microsoft Dynamic RMS was recently found (within the past 24 hours or less) and it may relate to MDAC as well. There should be a hotfix available tomorrow to resolve the issue. If you don't have this installed you won't be able to see SP3 on Windows Update. But that's only if the above issue effects your computer.

This is the issue that is holding up release, it's very specific and only a small subset of people are gonna even see it.

People tend to make things a bigger issue than they really are. A majority of users will not use any part of Microsoft's Dynamic RMS so it'll be just fine.

Nightow,
You'll be just fine installing it. The directions I posted will help you with it all.

The .dl_ means it is a compressed file and you just have to expand it, which I explained in my directions to you and Big John Thomas.

Actually, I think we should ponder on this microsoft statement from the link above Tarun (underline is from me):

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1368
From what they're saying next (update 2), I'm not sure it's the last one. But it's very close to it. So I don't think Nightow should panic (a ".dl_" file is a ".dll" that has a temporary modification, it's a trick when installing updates).

[QUOTE]show me the official May 6th release date with linkie .

you were wrong on your last call by a long shot so where is your inside information coming from now?

AS FOR TROLLING IF POSTING AN OFFICIAL MICROSOFT ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN INDEFINITE DELAY DATE IS TROLLING SO BE IT.

TARUN SAYS INDEFINITE DELAY EQUALS MAY 6 GOODIE.

You mean you can't go start/windows updates?

Yes you can, and you should. But you won't see the update as it's been removed. There's a priori no danger in getting the version Tarun indicates, but it's safer to wait until windowsupdate gives it to you. Well, at least that's what I'd recommend at this point.

It would help if you actually read and understood what they said. :P

Highlighted the key points. Microsoft Dynamic RMS is most likely not going to be on any end-user's computer. So you're overreacting to something that is not a critical issue for your average Joe User.

As for the May 6th date, it would make sense that it'd be out around then. After all, they did release it to TechNet and MSDN earlier than announced.
Neowin even posted dates about SP3's release. The date for OEM, MSDN and TechNet were almost accurate. OEM was accurate, and MSDN/TechNet was a day or so later after some pressure because they originally planned to delay it.

Source: http://www.crn.com/software/207403064

I can understand being concerned about this having an ill effect on some users, but the way and method you posted makes it look as though you're extremely paranoid. You have no reason whatsoever to say to say "FORGET ANY SO CALLED RELEASE DATE BY THE OP." SP3 did indeed appear to some users on Windows Update today (and even Monday night), which means it technically was released. Today, April 29th is also the scheduled release of Windows XP SP3 on Windows Update.

It helps to research things you're posting about. You remind me of the story about the boy who cried wolf. Do some more research on Microsoft Dymanic RMS before you go posting like you did.

At this time you might not be able to get it. It has only been appearing for some users (not everyone) as mentioned in my first post.

The SP3 team will be adding filters so if they detect Microsoft Dynamics RMS then they will not see SP3 until the hotfix gets released to correct the issue discovered.

Tarun.thanks for the advice mate but like I said, I already reinstalled using a slipstreamed XPsp3 disc.It wasn't my main machine so it wasn't a problem for me.I had already looked into the issue and apparently its caused by this rtm release being installed over an earlier release which is strange because I hadn't installed an earlier one,it was a pretty clean install I had to replace the hard drive only about 7 weeks ago.

Personally I won't rush to install it on my main machines until I do a reinstall which I do about twice a year anyway.There's nothing like a nice clean install of windows,untill you stick an anti-virus package on and watch it slow down by about 500%

I wanted to address the 10% performance increase from earlier in this post.
This applies ONLY to MS office suite.

To those arguing/flaming in the tech forums. Shame on you. Thats what the sanitarium is for. Please take that crap there or message each other.

Everyone is souping Service Pack 3 like it is going to revolutionize XP... hahaha

It is going to be a cumulative rollup of SP1, SP2, and the 105 or so updates since then. There may be additional rolled in patches, however, this is more of a move on Microsoft's part to limit bandwidth on their update servers. Currently, a fresh install of XP with SP2 will need 105 updates (office included) to be up-to-date. Makes sense to roll that up into a SP.

So you can all calm down and go back to trolling the Ursan Blessing threads.

Ah, ok. I had remembered reading somewhere about it, but couldn't remember what it applied to.

Agreed. I didn't think Loiviatar was a 12 year old though. But I've been wrong before.

/flex <------- is all this thread is now.

well looks like i was right all along!as i said it is NOT avalible publicly msdn is NOT for the general public

what im saying mate is that you are telling people to update to a version that is for beta use only!! MSDN is not your avg joe public

Customers should not download Microsoft software from links posted on non-Microsoft websites, when those links point directly to the executable as is the case here. Customers should always download from a page on Microsoft.com that provides all relevant download details, installation instructions, and release notes. In this particular case, it’s possible that some 3rd party websites are linking to the Windows XP SP3 software that we have published for MSDN and TechNet subscribers. Since we cannot confirm the source of every link that 3rd parties provide, out recommendation is that customers wait until we’ve published Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and the Download Center

please listen to me if you know nothing of pc's DONOT INSTALL IT

once it becomes stable for general public use it will be available throught atuo update

p.s i can give you the link to my partner qualifications if you like and you can Q_Q at them if you dont have better

once again

David

Why bother overreacting? It's pointless. The only reason Microsoft said that is because of the Dynamic RMS issue.

If you do not have Microsoft Dynamic RMS you will be fine installing Windows XP SP3.

Interestingly, Microsoft Update just gave me the option to install SP3. I've been updating PCs all morning and it just now gave me the option to do it.

Through the official site, officially. Try it and see if it works for you.

Katsumi, yep. They have officially re-released it.

Read More...

Yeah, I installed it on one of the test laptops at work. Took about an hour, maybe a little more. Didn't notice much, but I didn't get to really test it out.

Anyway, fun stuff. Got me out of other work this afternoon at least.