If you are on Windows XP and haven’t patched all your machines with Windows XP Service Pack 3 yet, try one of the following options:
Use Windows Update - This option is recommended if you have just one XP computer that is also connected to the Internet. Go to Windows Update and it will automatically download & install all the important XP SP3 related files.
Download XP SP3 Installer CD - This option is for people who have a good Internet connection and need to install XP SP3 on multiple computers or systems that are offline. Head over to Download Center and get a free CD image of the Windows XP Service Pack 3 installation disk.
Slipstream XP SP3 - When you need to apply the XP SP3 patch on multiple computers without running Windows Update on each of them, just slipstream XP3 using your original XP setup disc.
Order XP SP3 Setup CD - Finally, if you are on a slow connection or need a more simple solution, just ask Microsoft to ship a ready-made Windows XP SP3 installation disk to your home.
Microsoft will ship just about anywhere - North America, Asia, Europe - but unlike XP SP2, you will need to pay the shipping charges which are around $11 if you are in India and $6 if you are located in US. Still not a bad option for some.
Block Windows XP3 on your Computer - If you are happy and content with XP SP2, get the SP Blocker - this tool will prevent installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3 on your computer if Microsoft tries to push the patch through Windows Update.
Related: Create a Windows Vista SP1 Bootable DVD
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/software/tutorials/download-windows-xp-sp3-cd/3853/
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Is this new update around 500Mb sized? If thats true the 11$ shipping cost CD would be more better because you can even share it.
In easy to understand terms please, what are the benefits of SP3 over SP2&1? I’ve tried ‘googling’ this, but have yet to get a satisfactory answer.
Written by Sue the teacher on 07.09.08
this month’s digit also has xp sp3
Amit, I recently installed the SP3 on my computer. However, my computer started to give strange kind of problems. My computer vendor told me that although it is out in the market, it is still not advisable to install SP3.
I’d also like to know more about SP3
Written by Vijayendra on 07.10.08
Sue, SP3 is definitely recommended over SP1 or below, \’cos AFAIK those versions didn\’t have certain components like the Windows Firewall etc. Other than that, SP3 is basically just one huge package consisting of all the updates ever released by MS since SP2 came out. So from a security perspective, SP3 is a must. New features? Just 1 or 2, and none that an average home user need worry about. Basically, if you have kept automatic updates on and your system has been updated regularly, then SP3 won\’t really be required as your system should have all the patches and updates installed already. If not, I\’d recommend you go ahead and install it (though for experienced users I highly recommend a fresh install from a user-slipstreamed or original XP SP3 CD). Hope this helps! :)
Written by SP3 on 07.10.08
I’m sticking with SP2. I installed SP3 a while back, wrecked my Windows installation and had to reinstall from scratch having wiped the drive. Now I cannot run my SATA hard drive with SATA drivers and there are a couple of performance issues. I wouldn’t recommend the “upgrade” if your machine is running fine. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.
Sri Amit,
In my system windows updates are regularly downloading but they could not be installed. Windows try to install the updates for sometime and reports the updates are not installed. What can be the problem?
Written by T.Raguveeradayal on 07.10.08
Thanks Amit — it really did help. I do get the regular updates and have been afraid of what SP3 might do to my computer, so I will probably block the automatic update that’s coming and order the CD.
Written by Sue the teacher on 07.11.08
Recently, I’ve just formatted my laptop and when i start updating windows, the SP3 can’t be downloaded and although I have waited for about 1 hour, it still won’t budge. I get frustrated. Any recommendation that I could used to protect my laptop and I’m using a genuine windows XP.
Written by Ang Wai Leong on 07.20.08
In all the discussion I’ve read regarding Windows XP SP3, I’ve not seen reference to my question.
I ordered the update CD from the Windows Update link and started to use it to update my OS. But when I clicked on the link, “What to know before installing SP3,” all the information is written about SP2 (TWO) and not SP3.
No one at Microsoft seems to be able to understand my problem. I’m thinking that if the instructions are for SP2, I may not have a SP3 CD even though the label says it is.
Has anyone else who ordered the CD looked at that particular link?
By the way, thanks to your comments in this forum, I’m not going to install it anyway since I’ve kept up with all updates manually. It’s just a pain to click through the SP3 update notice to get to the “other” updates.
Written by Kit Owens on 07.30.08