Download XP Service Pack 3 Before Its Official Release, How To And Review
Download XP SP3
The first step is to edit a Registry key in your system. Karthik Kastury has made it easy, he created a command file that does the work for you.
Warning: You should always be careful when downloading a command or batch file from the web. Upon clicking my link below, Firefox users will be able to see the code before downloading it. Internet Explorer users will be prompted to open or save the file. After you save it to your desktop, right-click and select “Edit” to view the contents. Never trust anyone!
- Download the XP Service Pack 3 Registry Hack.
- Save it to your desktop as a command file (.cmd extension) and double-click it to run the file.
- Run Windows Update.
What’s Going On
What you are doing is adding a Registry Key that the Windows Update site reads. This key tells Windows Update that your machine is a beta tester and allows it to download SP3 before the official release, which is slated for release sometime in 2008. The version of SP3 (as of this writing) is Release Candidate 1.
Select the update and click “Install Updates”. The download should begin!
When the download is done, the Software Update Installation Wizard should launch.
Agree to the license agreement.
Installation should begin!
When installation completes, you will need to restart your machine.
When the machine boots, you can check your system properties by hitting the Windows Key+Pause/Break
SP3 Review
I must say that I am completely disappointed. First off, when Service Pack 2 was released there were a lot of improvements to the operating system: Wireless Zero was massively overhauled and the Windows Security Center was new and shiny - and that’s just two of them - and, in addition, it included all of the security patches. I was really hoping that Microsoft would include some new features into SP3 and I haven’t found a single new program. I’ve looked everywhere that I can think of and haven’t seen anything new. Microsoft has been very tight lipped about what will be included in SP3 and it is entirely possible (though not likely) that the there are different versions of SP3 on the Windows Update server and this is just the “security version” - hopefully there are new features on the official release….
Honestly though, I doubt it. With the poor adoption rate of Windows Vista, I really doubt that Microsoft would include any “wiz-bang” features into XP as that would just keep people from upgrade to Vista. Hopefully, Vista SP1 will as much as an improvement as XP SP2 was. 
Bonus
You might have noticed that I have a “Black” theme. You can read about it and download the Microsoft Royale Noir Theme for yourself!
Kuribo Mario Hops For These Related Posts:
Yeah Saman, I would like to hear your opinions on Vista. Have it on my Laptop and it’s really a big ole pain in the butt.
Well, I want to say that I didn’t care that Vista was so delayed in its release. I was of the mind set that Microsoft should hammer out all of the bugs and tweak all of the great new features.
That being said, there were no “great new features”. WinFS disappeared as well as the indexed search. WTF?! Those were some of the biggest selling points.
Next, Aero sucks. Sure it’s pretty, but this eye candy is way too resource intensive to warrant its use. Especially since it doesn’t really add any enhanced usability.
I also have a problem with the new networking scheme. It’s too dumbed down for me (I can say that about most of Vista’s features) – I’m a power user and I don’t appreciate being treated as an idiot. Let me do what I want and don’t force me into letting the OS do it for me.
I can go on and on, but I won’t. I will conclude with this: As I said in this article, the included features make Vista look like a service pack for XP and not a brand new, contemporary operating system. There are not enough new features to warrant the hefty price tag (or the ridiculous amount of different versions). The OS is bloated & resource intensive and it doesn’t provide the end user with an improved or enhanced experience. New OS’s should improve – they should boot faster, be more useable and almost be transparent.
The more I see of Mac’s and Linux machines, the more I want to use them (that’s not a good thing coming from a fan of Microsoft).
What do you think Scott? What do you like/dislike about Vista?
I want to clarify what I mean when I said “ As I said in this article, the included features make Vista look like a service pack for XP and not a brand new, contemporary operating system”
Vista does have some new features and improvements - BUT they are not monument enhancements from XP; they are “baby steps”, the kind that are included in service packs.
A new operating system, especially one that comes from a major corporation that employs hundreds of programmers and backed by billions of dollars, should be the most state-of-the-art OS the world has ever seen. It should have people flocking toward it (as Apple’s Leopard did) and not requesting a downgrade from computer manufactures.
Uhm obviously XP SP3 is not that great..
1.Its not out yet for a reason… its not like it costs anything and if it were fully developed they would let us download it already…
2. Vista Came out so their working on improving its instabilities not on XP’s new features
3.Do you even know why the service packs are made in general???
Service Packs are usually a collection of patches and security updates. Sometimes manufacturers will release new functionality too. You can read more about Service Packs on Wikipedia.
That’s looking like a whole different blog there with the new design.
[…] has an interesting post about how you can try Service Pack 3 for Windows XP before it’s officially released - but I would be very careful if you decide to try it, you have to know exactly what you’re […]
I don’t really like Vista all that much. Before it even came out, and even more so after, I’ve heard from loads of people that Vista sucks. I believed them, but WOW (aha… remember Vista’s slogan? the WOW starts now) I didn’t expect it to be this bad!
If you don’t turn UAC off, you pretty much can’t do half of the things you should be able to. And everything needs to be confirmed. Really. Why would I DOUBLE click something if it was accidental? And if you turn UAC off, you kinda have to turn the security notifications off or it will keep bugging you that “UAC IS OFF LAWL”. Yeah I know. I turned it off. Now I don’t get alerts about other thing.
What’s WinFS? and also indexed searching is still here i think. Try searching for indexing options on your start menu. Not sure if that’s what you meant.
zipped compressed files disappeared (never used them anyway, used/still use winrar). file type control disappeared (icon, open with, edit with, other right click options).
and they still haven’t included multiple desktops or customizable taskbars and such…
and in general it’s extremely hard to find the “advanced” options for everything. you have to click through multiple links to finally get to the settings page that you’re looking for, or you have to go directly to the registry.
and i don’t think you can edit the boot loader either. they should add one with mac/linux support. And maybe make it a graphical bootloader.
it’s missing a lot. going by your logic, i’d say it’s more of a windows xp sp -1. or like a Windows XP: Computer Beginners edition.
and in general it’s extremely hard to find the “advanced” options for everything. you have to click through multiple links to finally get to the settings page that you’re looking for, or you have to go directly to the registry.
That’s exactly what I think too - it’s like they tried to make it idiot proof!
As for UAC, they’re trying to emulate they way Linux & Mac’s handle user roles - in either OS, you’re account is a regular user, not a system administrator (like any Windows based system). If you want to change anything on the system level, you need to supply an administrator’s password. Microsoft tried to replicate this (better) system and ended screwing it up….
wow didn’t know that was that long.
on another note, i doubt xp sp3 will have very much, even on the final version. they said they’ll provide minimal support for xp for a while, but they’re mostly working on vista sp1 as well as the next OS after vista (codenamed vienna i think?)
I doubt it too, they don’t want people sticking with XP…
Are you kidding me???
Quote: “I must say that I am completely disappointed…”
How can you say you are disappointed? You hacked your OS to install a RELEASE CANIDATE. And as you admit yourself, “this is just the “security version” - hopefully there are new features on the official release”.
How can you judge a product that you stole, and was incomplete?
I too consider myself a “Windows XP power user”… but will wait for the official (complete, full featured and stable) release.
>ECG
How I got the Service Pack doesn’t change my impressions of it - hacked or not, there are not new features. Also, I speculated that this might be a “security version”, I haven no real proof and I doubt that there are different versions.
Quote: “there are not new features” ????…
here are four (I found from doing a quick google search)…
Network Access Protection compatibility: Announced years ago, this feature allows Windows XP machines to interact with the NAP feature in Windows Server 2008. This functionality is built into the RTM version of Windows Vista as well.
Product Key-less install option: As with Windows Vista, new XP with SP3 installs can proceed without entering a product key during Setup.
Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module: A new kernel module that “encapsulates several different cryptographic algorithms,” according to Microsoft.
“Black hole” router detection algorithm: XP gains the ability to ignore network routers that incorrectly drop certain kinds of network packets. This, too, is a feature of Windows Vista. (Courtesy of: Paul Thurrott)
dude, where’s your research
very unimpressive…. I regret stumbling upon this site…
now i just need to find my trusty old flamethrower =0 I smell some flame bait.
So anyway, are those 4 features worth releasing a “service PACK” over? Shouldn’t they just be normal Windows Automatic Updates? Because you and I have both seen cases when the Automatic Updates find more than 4 updates at the same time.
Quote: “are those 4 features worth releasing a “service PACK” over?”
Those 4 features alone are not the reason for a Service Pack. A google search will reveal the reasons why SP3 is just now being released (Try MS blogs directly, it won’t be hard…). One feature is being added as a compatibilty/upgrade feature timed with the release of Windows Server 2008…seriously guys, don’t you research properly?…
Quote: “Shouldn’t they just be normal Windows Automatic Updates?….find more than 4 updates at the same time.”
Agreed, more the reason!! Your telling me every time you reinstall windows with a SP2 disc, your willing to d/l 90-100+ updates everytime?, instead of one d/l package?
enough said….
“seriously guys, don’t you research properly?”
Actually I do. But I don’t research something as minor as this, as extensively as I would research something that’s important to me :$ Good for you though.
“Your telling me every time you reinstall windows with a SP2 disc, your willing to d/l 90-100+ updates everytime?”
That just goes back to the point. It seems to me like the only purpose of this service pack is just a compilation of all the updates since SP2. No “new” features, which you’ve disproved. Still I’d love to see more features.
But it’s understandable since they have a new OS and would only provide minimal support to XP.
Anyway, I’m on Vista now, and although I like XP over Vista in many ways, I think I’ll stick with Vista and Linux.
I apologize for getting to hasty. This type of research is a requirement for my line of work.
I agree with no new ‘programs’, however, read above (and comment below) about the aforementioned ‘features’.
>ECG
Actually, I have been keeping an eye (and thus, researching) Service Pack 3 for a while now - and I stand by my review stating that there are no new programs in the version that I tested on my test machine.
First you say “there are not new features”….
Now you say “there are no new programs”…
To me (and probably most other IT experts), features and programs are to seperate entities…
Vista has streamlined installation - one click installation - I like that! all drivers and setup done by the OS.
What drivers….
[…] Download XP Service Pack 3 Before Its Official Release, How To And Review […]
You neglected the fact that there was some backend stuff being rewritten as well. It’s been reported numerous times already, SP3 gives XP a noteworthy speed boost. Something like 5-10% faster.
Even if I dont consider this though, I will welcome a new SP as I can slipstream it into my XP installation and not need to run windows updates for a bajillion additions everytime I install the OS.
I have a copy of Vista Ultimate that I hope to god I never have to use.
[…] Download XP Service Pack 3 Before Its Official Release, How To And Review from Samanathon.com […]
I always think it’s better to wait for the real thing…not the RC. Interestingly, I was at work today…one of the media companies that I work for was getting delivery of some lovely slim line Sony Viao’s ….none of them had Vista on them despite being top range.
I don’t use Vista, although I have pretty extensively on other peoples boxes. I use vista transformation pack 8, flip 3d and vistart for the eye candy vista gives… but love the stability and speed of xp. If you keep on top of your registry and clean up regularly xp is fine. Although, I must admit for anything that require major security.. I use Linux.
JJ
hi
i cannot download windows xpsp3 can you help me pleace
i cannot download windows xpsp3, can you help me place tel me how to download it and wear from
i can download it reply me soon
If you followed the instructions above, then it’s possible that Microsoft has “patched” this “hole”…
Man,
I missed out on SP3 … I can’t believe I found this post so late!
When compared to XP service pack 2, the new service pack 3 disappointed me a lot.
I will not be upgrading to Vista, not until they come out with SP 2 Vista. Even then…wait and see. I like my XP as it is, even if SP 3 is a disappointment.
Thanks for all the screen shots! That really helps a knucklehead like me
Jon
Very clear guide.