Win XP SP3 is out

[Lroy onDA scene]

so like whats the difference?i know its a big download cuz its taking forever

[ACC0RD22]

Its a security update. As far as I know, there were no new features added.

[9threeEX]

No thanks - rather stick with my Mac.......

[accordaffair]

Win XP SP3 is out

more like LOSE XP SP3!!! amirite?


nah I just got, didn't notice a difference

What Is In Service Pack 3
Windows XP SP3 includes all previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates and hotfixes, and select out-of-band releases. For example, the service pack includes functionality previously released as updates, such as the Microsoft® Management Console (MMC) 3.0 and the Microsoft Core XML Services 6.0 (MSXML6).
Microsoft is not adding significant functionality from newer versions of Windows, such as Windows Vista, to Windows XP through XP SP3. For instance, Windows XP SP3 does not include Windows Internet Explorer 7, although Windows XP SP3 does include updates to both Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7, and it will update whichever version is installed on the computer. For more information about Internet Explorer 7, visit the Internet Explorer home page.
One notable exception is that, SP3 does include Network Access Protection (NAP) to help organizations that use Windows XP to take advantage of new features in the Windows Server® 2008 operating system.
Knowledge Base article 936929 lists all other all Knowledge Base articles associated with updates that are included in Windows XP SP3. The following sections also provide a high-level description of the functionality included in Windows XP SP3.
Previously Released Functionality
The functionality that Table 1 describes is already available for Windows XP in stand-alone updates. System administrators must choose to install each of these updates, however. Windows XP SP3 includes them by default.
Table 1. Previously Released Functionality
Functionality Description
Management MMC 3.0 MMC 3.0 is a framework that unifies and simplifies day-to-day system management tasks in Windows by providing common navigation, menus, toolbars, and workflow across diverse tools. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 907265 describes this functionality in detail.

MDAC MSXML6 MSXML6 provides better reliability, security, and conformance with the XML 1.0 and XML Schema 1.0 W3C Recommendations. It also provides compatibility with System.XML 2.0.
MSI Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 v2 (3.1.4000.2435) Windows Installer 3.1 is a minor update to Windows Installer 3.0, which Microsoft released in September 2004. Windows Installer 3.1 contains new and enhanced functionality. Additionally, Windows Installer 3.1 addresses some issues that Microsoft found in Windows Installer 3.0. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 893803 describes this functionality.

Networking Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 2.5 BITS 2.5 is required by Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 and Windows Live™ OneCare™. BITS 2.5 helps improve security. If you use BITS to transfer data, the new features also improve flexibility. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 923845 describes BITS 2.5.

IPSec Simple Policy Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP This update helps simplify the creation and maintenance of IPSec filters, reducing the number of filters that are required for a server and domain isolation deployment. The Simple Policy Update removes the requirement for explicit network infrastructure permit filters and introduces enhanced fallback to clear behavior. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 914841 describes this previously released update in more detail.
Digital Identity Management Service (DIMS) DIMS make it possible for users who log on to any domain-joined computer to silently access all of their certificates and private keys for applications and services.
Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) 2.1 This update enables Windows XP SP3–based programs that use PNRP to communicate with Windows Vista programs that use PNRP. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 920342 describes this previously released update.
Remote Desktop Protocol 6.1 Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) used for communication between the Terminal Server and the Terminal Server Client. RDP is encapsulated and encrypted within TCP. This update better facilitates communication between machines running Windows XP and Windows Vista. Knowledge Base article 186607 describes RDP. Knowledge base article 951616 describes RDP 6.1.
Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) This update to Windows XP provides support for WPA2, the latest standards-based wireless security solution derived from the IEEE 802.11i standard. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 893357 describes this update.
New and Enhanced Functionality
Table 2 describes some of the more significant changes in Windows XP SP3. With few exceptions, Microsoft is not adding new features or functionality from newer versions of Windows to Windows XP through SP3. As noted earlier, one exception is the addition of NAP to Windows XP to help organizations running Windows XP to take advantage of new features in Windows Server 2008.
For a list of Knowledge Base articles that Windows XP SP3 addresses, see Knowledge Base article 936929.
Table 2. New and Enhanced Functionality
Functionality Description
Networking "Black Hole" Router Detection Windows XP SP3 includes improvements to black hole router detection (detecting routers that are silently discarding packets), turning it on by default.
Network Access Protection (NAP) NAP is a policy enforcement platform built into Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Windows XP SP3 with which you can better protect network assets by enforcing compliance with system health requirements. Using NAP, you can create customized health policies to validate computer health before allowing access or communication; automatically update compliant computers to ensure ongoing compliance; and optionally confine noncompliant computers to a restricted network until they become compliant. For more information about NAP, see Network Access Protection: Frequently Asked Questions.

CredSSP Security Service Provider CredSSP is a new Security Service Provider (SSP) that is available in Windows XP SP3 via Security Service Provider Interface (SSPI). CredSSP enables an application to delegate the user’s credentials from the Client (via Client side SSP) to the target Server (via Server side SSP). Windows XP SP3 involves only the Client side SSP implementation and is currently being used by RDP 6.1 (TS), though it can be used by any third party application willing to use the Client side SSP to interact with applications running Server side implementations of the same on Vista / LH Server.
There is a technical specification of this SSP available at the Microsoft Download Center.
Note that CredSSP is turned OFF by default in Windows XP SP3. To enable CredSSP, administrators can modify the following registry keys:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Lsa]
In the value “Security Packages” of type REG_MULTI_SZ, add “tspkg” in addition to SSP-specific data already present.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\SecurityProviders]
In the value “SecurityProviders” of type REG_SZ, add “credssp.dll” in addition to SSP-specific data already present.

Security Descriptive Security Options User Interface The Security Options control panel in Windows XP SP3 now has more descriptive text to explain settings and prevent incorrect settings configuration. Figure 1 shows an example of this new functionality.

Figure 1. Security options explanatory text

Enhanced security for Administrator and Service policy entries In System Center Essentials for Windows XP SP3, Administrator and Service entries will be present by default on any new instance of policy. Additionally, the user interface for the Impersonate Client After Authentication user right will not be able to remove these settings.
Microsoft Cryptographic Module Implements and supports the SHA2 hashing algorithms (SHA256, SHA384, and SHA512) in X.509 certificate validation. This has been added to the crypto module rsaenh.dll.
XP SP2 crypto modules Rsaenh.dll/Dssenh.dll/Fips.sys had been certified according to FIPS 140-1 specifications. The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-1 standard has been replaced by FIPS 140-2, and these modules have been validated and certified according to this standard. For more information, see the Microsoft Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module.

Setup Windows Product Activation As in Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows Vista, users can now complete operating system installation without providing a product key during a full, integrated installation of Windows XP SP3. The operating system will prompt the user for a product key later as part of Genuine Advantage.
As with previous service packs, no product key is requested or required when installing Windows XP SP3 using the update package available through Microsoft Update.
Note The Windows Product Activation changes in Windows XP SP3 are not related to the Windows Vista Key Management Service (KMS). This update affects only new operating system installations from integrated source media. This update affects the installation media only and is not a change to how activation works in Windows XP.

[Dirty Harry]

From Slashdot April 29:

http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?...18252&from=rss

An anonymous reader sends word that Microsoft Windows XP SP3, which had been scheduled to hit the Web today, was pulled back at the last minute. SP3 apparently broke a Microsoft application, Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System. Their solution is to set up a filter to make sure that no system running the affected software will get automatically updated; once the filter is in place, SP3 will be released to the Web. A fix for the incompatibility will follow.

LOL... fuckin' Microsoft half-assed bullshit

[Dirty Harry]

From Slashdot today:

http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?.../05/09/1258229

"According to Information Week, within hours of its wide availability Windows XP SP3 had drawn hundreds of complaints from users who claim the update is wreaking havoc on their computers. One user said in a Microsoft newsgroup: 'I downloaded and installed [the SP3] package for IT Professionals and Developers on one of my computers. Now I can't get the computer to boot. I don't think Microsoft should have made this a critical update.' Other sites including IT Wire are also reporting problems, which include include random reboots or the inability to boot at all."

Note that XP3 won't install on systems running beta IE8; and after a successful SP3 install users will no longer be able to downgrade from IE7 to IE6.

THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER DOWNLOAD NEW SHIT MS PUTS OUT JUST BECAUSE IT'S NEW. GET THE FUCK OFF MICROSOFT'S DICK ALREADY!!!

[Pandemic]

lol, yeah I saw that too.
Heard something about Apple getting into gaming. Honestly, if it was easier to game on nix, I think Microsoft would be a thing of the past. It's pretty cool to see open source taking off like it is.

Anyone know if Google is creating an OS?

[Accord R33]

lol, yeah I saw that too.
Heard something about Apple getting into gaming. Honestly, if it was easier to game on nix, I think Microsoft would be a thing of the past. It's pretty cool to see open source taking off like it is.

Anyone know if Google is creating an OS?

You can play so many games in Cedega on Unix its not even funny. Including WoW, Call of Duty 4, etc

There have been rumors of "gOS" for years. If they do ever make one, you can bet it will be 100% web based.

[ExplodingCake]

THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER DOWNLOAD NEW SHIT MS PUTS OUT JUST BECAUSE IT'S NEW. GET THE FUCK OFF MICROSOFT'S DICK ALREADY!!!

Yup. Same thing goes to Vista. There's a certain update that will make the system unable to boot once installed and restarted.