I awoke to find that the new service packs for Windows XP and Vista are available through Windows Update Center. This will make installation much easier, although for XP users there’s less in it than there is for Vista people who could experience a significant speed boost.
The XP SP3 brings a lot to the table that has already been released as fixes or other Windows updates. Some features that are totally new are that activation is not required, Network Access Protection, Black hole router detection and a few more. Most of these are backports of Vista, but if you do have XP, why not download it?
Vista SP1 contains all kinds of updates, with solutions to many problems, additions and other fixes. For a full, detailed list read the Microsoft white paper on Vista SP1 and get downloading!
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Couple of questions if you don’t mind. I am currently using firefox. Should I download the SP3? Or stick with firefox? I realize it is probably a personal choice, but I notice a difference in how some sites look in IE. Second, I will be getting a new computer hopefully soon. What would be the best thing for me. I don’t use a lot of graphics, but I download a lot of pictures, music and cruise the net a lot.What would be the best in your humble opinion?
I’ll be updating my Windows XP to SP3 this weekend! :)
The SP3 update pops up but the installation continues to fail. I tried installing the update multiple times. I’ve never had this problem with Windows updates.
Is anyone else having this problem?
Thanks
The problem I had with the SP3 update was that, as soon as I restarted my computer after installing it, Windows kept failing to load. It just kept counting down, restarting, then counting down again. This went on and on. So, as you can’t use system restore in Safe Mode, the only option I had was to remove it altogether.
Will Microsoft ever get anything right?? There’s no point in trying to ask Microsoft, since they offer little support, and just fobb you off to their equally useless knowledge base or forums.
I have ubuntu dual booted on the lappie and use it almost always. I wonder why I even bother updating windows…
Hi ettarose!
You don’t actually have to choose between SP3 and Firefox. SP3 updates Windows and Windows software, like Internet Explorer. While your Internet explorer will be updated, you are not obligated to use it. You can continue to use Firefox in the same way as before.
UK and Glen, I use Vista mostly, and although I have XP, I just use it for about 1 hour a week when playing a game, so I don’t see the need to update, sorry.