Author Topic: Microsoft: XP SP3 won't arrive until '07 (Read 1388 times)

Clive · « **on:** January 18, 2006, 16:02 »

By Ina Fried
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

Published: January 17, 2006, 1:05 PM PST

Aiming to keep its focus on Windows Vista, Microsoft is now targeting 2007 for its next Windows XP service pack update.

In a posting to its life cycle Web site, Microsoft set a preliminary date of the second half of next year for the release of Windows XP Service Pack 3 for both home and professional editions. That puts its debut well past the arrival of Vista, which is slated for the second half of this year and later than both outsiders and some insiders had originally predicted.

"We will be releasing another service pack for XP over the course of the product life cycle, and we are tentatively targeting the second half of 2007 for release," a Microsoft representative said in an e-mail to CNET News.com. "However, right now our priority is Windows Vista--we'll have more information to share about the next service pack for XP after Windows Vista ships."

Microsoft declined to say what features or patches might be included in the service pack update.

Speculation over when the update would appear and what it will contain has been ongoing almost since Service Pack 2 debuted in August 2004. SP 2 contained more new features than a typical Microsoft service pack, adding a host of security enhancements, a pop-up ad blocker and improved handling of wireless networks.

A Microsoft France executive confirmed in September that a Service Pack 3 was in the works and suggested that it was slated for sometime in 2006, but after Vista's debut.

sam · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2006, 17:48 »

its great that they care about providing customers with their updates over them buying a new version isnt it

chorleydave · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2006, 19:24 »

What never ceases to amaze me is that (as always) people will be rushing to buy the new version of Windows the moment it is released, even though they know that it will not be complete until service pack 3, 4, or 5 has been applied in about 2010!

Simon · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2006, 20:16 »

I won't!

Clive · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2006, 21:48 »

Me neither!!

sam · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2006, 02:32 »

just use linux, enough said! :-)

Rodders · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2006, 12:29 »

I use Linux in my bathroom. Although I have to say it's a bit uncomfortable standing on it during these cold mornings.