What Is Windows XP SP3?

Like all complex software, Windows XP has many bugs and security holes. This has necessitated regular releases of bug fixes and security patches. Over time, Microsoft compiles the many fixes and patches into an all-in-one pack called a Service Pack.

Microsoft released the first Service Pack for Windows XP back on September 9, 2002. This was followed by Service Pack 2 almost two years later on August 6, 2004. Service Pack 3, which is destined to be the final service pack for Windows XP was finally released on April 21, 2008.

So what's in Service Pack 3, and what's not? Let's see what Microsoft says...

Windows XP SP3 includes all previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates and hotfixes, and select out-of-band releases. Windows XP SP2 was released in August 2004. Since then, Microsoft has released hundreds of updates. Windows XP SP3 includes all of these updates.

Microsoft is not adding significant Windows Vista functionality to Windows XP through SP3. However, 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.

Windows XP SP3 does not include Windows Internet Explorer 7 or Windows Media Player 11.

Service Pack 3 will support all original 24 languages once Wave 2 is released. In addition, Service Pack 3 will include support for 9 new languages for the Windows XP multi-language user interface (MUI).

How Big Is Service Pack 3?

Surprisingly, Service Pack 3 is only 72 MB in size (when downloaded via Windows Update). That isn't really very big, as it represents almost four years of cumulative updates since Service Pack 2. However, it takes up almost 900 MB of space once installed. Here's a comparison of the size and space requirements of Service Pack 3 versus Service Pack 2.

Of course, Service Pack 3 does not include updates covered in Service Pack 1. To upgrade to Service Pack 3, you must already update Windows XP with at least Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2.

* Note : This is the download size via Windows Update (as stated in the internal Microsoft document). Although they did not state so, this probably the download size if you already have Service Pack 2 installed. The standalone download file size is said to be much larger, at around 326 MB.