Windows XP SP3 RC1 released for public
Microsoft has released to the public a near-final version of a major update to its Windows XP operating system. As of Wednesday, the ‘Release Candidate’ for Windows XP Service Pack 3 was available as a 336 Mbyte download from Microsoft’s Web site. The software had previously been available only to participants in Microsoft’s official test programs. Software vendors usually issue a release candidate when they’re close to producing a final version of a product or update. It provides a last chance for users to weigh in before a final version is released to manufacturing. Microsoft says it considers the Release Candidate for Windows XP SP3 to be trial software and warns users to download with caution — and at their own risk. “Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission critical systems,” the company states on its Web site.
For the adventurous, however, Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate offers a number of enhancements over the current version of the OS. It includes all updates issued since Windows XP Service Pack 2 was released in 2004, and some new elements. Among them: A feature called Network Access Protection that’s borrowed from the newer Windows Vista operating system. NAP automatically validates a computer’s “health,” ensuring that it’s free of bugs and viruses, before allowing it access to a network. Windows XP SP3 also includes improved “black hole” router detection — a feature that automatically detects routers that are silently discarding packets. In XP SP3, the feature is turned on by default, according to Microsoft. I’m looking forward to Windows.XP.SP3.included.Corporate.Edition-SoMEGROUP. 
Source: Infoweek
Comments(97)
YAY
wow, sounds interesting
after this update you will definitely need vista, which will be 10x faster
. i promise!
so does this actually do anything special?
SP3 will not be available for XPx64 for a while people don’t hold your breath.
More Info:
http://www.start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1709&Itemid=98
mission critical xp systems
muhahaha
Any idea if this works on non english systems? I got a feeling it doesnt.
Well it has to be good as no Darkie Ape Men worked on it.
Unless it is a final release it’s useless.
what about the performance increase that we heard weeks before?
anyone know if this will work on pirated versions of xp such as ETH0 distributions?
does it work on hacked version ?
or it will look the the OS ?
any links?
@3 c’mon
you make me laugh … you get a 10x faster PC with vista only with a 20x faster PC than you need for XP to run that way 
cuz vista is just eating resources for that “rich user experience” they just brag about and for that you just don’t care when you want your programs to run faster on a better reliable system
die news hat so einen bart…
pretty old news -.-
Consider:
1. XP with SP2 is working just great.
2. If you’re running a legal copy of XP-SP2 with updates turned on you’ve already got all the updates since SP2.
3. The big migration to Vista, because of the DX10 graphics, has been mitigated by work arounds and developing aftermarket projects to allow running to DX10 in XP. Not to mention the big Crysis Hoax!!
(What game developer now would think of offering a DX10 only game?}
4. M.S. wants you to upgrade to Vista real bad (bill doesn’t like to be wrong).
Considering the above, choose the right answer below [1 min time limit (10 min for those that post 1st!! comments)]:
1. M.S. is trying to be nice to those running pirated copies of XP-SP2 to insure their bootleg copy of XP is secure with all the updates.
2. M.S. is trying to “tweak” XP to run even better.
3. M.S. is trying to “tweak” XP to run slower to make Vista look better and really mess up the pirated copies with an improved version of the Vista Activation Scheme.
4. All of the above.
5. None of the above.
Thanx will update mine now!!
What does this mean: ““improved black hole” router detection “?
And is this really a large problem for anyone?
Where can I grab this from, I can’t find it on M$ site.
@dragoshell
Totally agree. I refuse to allow a Microsoft OS to eat up my resources for som claimed “rich user experience” either, that is why I continue to use DOS 7.0 for all of my computing needs.
I am absolutely sure that no resources of mine are being eaten up by a Microsoft OS. Those people that need their graphic user interface just to have a “rich user experience” all need to realize how much resources they are wasting.
Fools.
Click the damn link that says 366mb download..
336, whatever
I did download, it`s faster, but not like OMG!
Well, it`s just for english systems, but if you install on a English system and them use a MUI Pack to translate to your language.
LOL @20
Rock on DOS!
Can anyone confirm the speed increase of this SP?
installed it few minutes ago and can not find anything faster or better yet
“Well, it`s just for english systems, but if you install on a English system and them use a MUI Pack to translate to your language.”
its avaiable in german and japanese too
@Untouchable
is it available in French?
Windows.XP.SP3.included.Corporate.Edition-SoMEGROUP.
right exactly martin i have the june integrated and that has started now to show some signs of crazyness i guess its time for a repair or re-setup
any1 knows teh final date of the final build of win xp sp3??
@indianpunk
Yes, the first week of March ‘08.
@tom
No French version available at this time.
#6 “mission critical xp systems”
The British navy uses XP…makes us feel REALLY safe!
This is old been running XP with this rc1 beta 3244 of sp3 for a while customised my own xp install with this into it n all tweaks there is no good XP releases out there to suit a individual and alot of problems with alot of them as they remove things you need in some stupidity.
@Andy
The British Navy hasn’t been keeping anyone safe since they lost four ships in the Falkland Islands War.
No need to worry about XP being their downfall, Britain has done that to her navy all by itself.
Wouldn’t be surprised if ’something’ comes up in the not too distant future that causes this to be slower than Vista thus making us upgrade but, till then, we’ll see
Does anyone when when the jihadist version is supposed to come out ?
german version available and working so far, but no major difference to sp2..
@holo
What exactly are you trying to insinuate?
Hey… To the experienced I don’t need to say this, but for the n00bs it needs to be said.
Don’t download Release Candidates! Unless you have time to waste then that’s up to you.
I can only speak for myself, but I appreciate the hackers and crackers for using their talent on the FINAL release of GREAT working proggies. Not on this *still untested* & *bugged* software.
I can assure you, that these hackers/ crackers are confirming what is in THIS download. Especially *IF* there is a new WGA attached to it.
Just a warning. I didn’t want you all to get testosterone’d by MS.
@Not Stupid
You’re another one with the insinuating…just come out and say what you mean.
What exactly does this mean: “I didn’t want you all to get testosterone’d by MS.”
OK GUYS I CAN VERIFY THAT THIS *DOES* WORK ON PIRATED COPIES OF XP
NOTHING HAS CHANGED ON MY SYSTEM AT ALL EXCEPT THE BOOTSCREEN CHANGED BACK TO THE DEFAULT XP LOGO
I WAS WORRIED DURING THE INSTALL BUT EVERYTHING WENT FINE, NO PROBLEMS AT ALL
SO IF YOUR USING A PIRATED COPY OF XP, THIS *IS* SAFE TO INSTALL
2 additional notes
1- this is from MS (n00bs read here)- This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you have a backup of your data prior to installing any pre-release software.
2- Also, even with the final release, it can not be guaranteed that it’s safe with crap like WGA threatening over our heads all the time. Wait for a release that has been put out by a group with a “elite” (<– lack of a better word) reputation.
@Ellen #39- look here http://www.rlslog.net/intermorphic-liptik-lyric-generator-v10012-incl-keygen-air/#comments
LOL
Well all u visa haters enjoy….
Cant say ive had a problem.. DX10 games are cool
No hack or workaround… just play
My system runs smooth and is fast
XP.CORP.SP3.RC1.INCORPORATED-SkS
@40 “NOTHING HAS CHANGED ON MY SYSTEM AT ALL EXCEPT THE BOOTSCREEN CHANGED BACK TO THE DEFAULT XP LOGO” – Oh Wow, that’s quite a service pack – going to install it right now… NOT.
“SO IF YOUR USING A PIRATED COPY OF XP, THIS *IS* SAFE TO INSTALL”
- That’s until the included time lock kicks in next week….and you have to call up bill to activate you.
Just Curious: What was wrong with your XP-SP2 installation that would make you take a chance on this pre-release version of SP3?
@all: I don’t get it. What is there to gain above the current XP Sp2?
This is more fun than watching the latest George Bush News Conference….
Any ScreenShots Of This?
That is enough cracks about the British Navy. At one time they ruled the world. Please read a history book before you make dumb comments.
@Not Stupid
There are no elite release groups. They all turn out to be a bunch of wankers whether its due to a broken crack or a corrupt rar, they all screw up.
Fortunately, in this case, there are no adverse effects on pirated XP installs due to this service pack. We can continue using Microsoft’s products for free even though we hate them.
Who is crazy enough to run a release candidate on the operating system itself ? As if windows is not unstable enough already !
After using XP and Vista on multiple PC’s here is my conclusion. XP is good system for old PC’s and mainstream notebooks. If you are looking for DX10 games, or some photo/video/design you do need Vista. There is however no need to buy extra ram just to be able to run Vista on your old system as you will not be able to find AGP video card that can run Crysis or COJ DX10 and so on. So, in simple terms, if you are surfing, chatting, listening music and watching movies, there is absolutely no need to upgrade to Vista or buy Vista capable PC.
Now about performance. Many say XP is faster, Vista eats resources and so on. So wrong. My last rig was only $1,200. Q6600, SLI board, 4GB ram and Raptor. Vista 64bit is amazingly fast on such setting. BTW, I am talking about 64bit version, forget about 32bit crap. XP on 4GB ram (can’t neither recognize nor use 4 GB of ram) is disappointment. It runs as fast as on my 2 year old rig. Also, Vista does not “eat” resources, it uses it! Think about it, I had 2GB on my old rig and vista never used more then 1GB except for games. If I would put 8GB ram, Vista will use it all, it will start programs instantly, but it will free it up for any game as needed. Du you have XP pc that starts explorer instantly or word in 2 sec without any tweaks? At some point, most of you will figure it out that XP hit the wall and will show no further performance, no meter what hardware you have. If you really want to check it for yourself on place repeating stuff like parrots, google “2GB XP barrier” and what that means for newer programs and games, and for example “Vista Multi-Core” cpu use to find difference in multiple core use between systems, not to mention few other improvements. BTW, I hate M$ and use Vista only due to DX10.
Ruled the world? You make me laugh! hehehe
All versions of Windows use resources. Since Windows 95, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and now Windows Vista.
The only way to avoid having Windows use resources, as was stated above, is to use DOS.
If you can’t afford many resources, then stick with an older O/S. If you value your time and your sanity, then move to Vista.
Yes I do.
@ #52
That must be painful since Vista is on a hard, plastic DVD.
Do you not like using toilet paper?
so with this sp3 i can convert my xbox360 haI0 3 copy to 700mb cdrom and play on my mac?
someone rip jackass 2.5 off http://blockbuster.jackassworld.com/ seeing how im canadian i cant watch! u know we’re people too.
@mac fanboi
Yes.
Totally unrelated, but as some claim, England, or rather The British Empire had the biggest empire that has ever existed in history!
And to some above = I head that some American ships lost all their power due to computer problems, they could steer, but that was all, no engines, no power, no nothing.
Reason? M$ Products!
And yeah, I am also going to wait a while before I get SP3, when I get it I will have to know what benefits it has. And to Vista-users….. I feel sorry for you. That OS is such CRAP! XP is crap also, but at least it is better than Vista. I will use XP untill I will be FORCED to use Vista!
That’s that!
You still need a SP3 key if you all in one it for formatting, I tried it out after slipstreaming it and asked for cd key. So only works if after install or reformat and install then you can exe it .
mrgamer, which brainwashing institute taught you britain had biggest empire in entire history? lol, tool.
besides, lets look at the now, britain is a laughable chav trailer park where pakis rule, lol.
Windows XP SP3 RC1 (3264) Rapidshare (336MB)
http://rapidshare.com/files/77772216/windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/77772425/windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/77772460/windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/77777219/windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu.part4.rar
For anyone that wants to get from rapidshare quicker than windows site for me anyway.
“britain is a laughable chav trailer park where pakis rule”
lol
It was released on Dec 11 2007 on WinMatrix!
http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=16229
Does this work with an illegal copy of xp?
This is a Release Candidate – which really means it’s still not finished and they want to use everyone as beta testers – version of what is supposed to be a service pack of fixes.
Just think about that for a second.
Let it sink in.
There we go.
Be smart kids, wait for the Final and then wait some months after that.
this works fine on my bootleg copy of XP. and get the firefox 3.0b2
Yeah I know it’s not conclusive but…
“The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for a time was the foremost global power.”
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire
Thank you #58- RaynLog2399.
This is proof of an underlying “re-deux”. In reality, slipstreaming SHOULD NOT do that. For example, when we ss’d SP2 did it ask us for a key like in what RaynLog2399 did? I didn’t think so.
Consider this also. Rumors had Vista was helped in development with the (N)o (S)uch (A)gency… Are some of these updates in this service pack to XP (XP now!) reflecting this partnership?
You all discuss this amongst yourselves about this. I am going to bed.
Night
Release Candidate in M$ terms means they are done with it, period! Only change(s) that would cause another build spin (RC2) is if someone were to report a serious showstopper bug.
Waiting for Gold release is a smart choice but you most certainly do not need to wait months. Thats just stupid; this is XP not Vista.
Windows.XP.SP3.included.Corporate.Edition-SoMEGROUP
Right Ho… I will be waiting for the same…
well unless somegroup can release the sp3 slipstreamed with a all ready wga cracked so you can use windows update its kind of useless. You can use windiz updates but it doesnt always detect all the updates anyways unless it is genuine OS.
i might just upload that windows.xp.sp3.corperate-me ive had that made since sp3 3244 and it runs stable as ever xD
oh yea… if antiwpa3 is included the pc appears genuine and CAN pass all the genuine checks, but disk’s i base these images off are dell oem, so the key never gets blacklisted as its the dell oem key i use. theres a few torrents out there that use this same technique give mininova a search “dell oem xp activated” will do the job just fine
I did notice windows is a little faster, but games… It`s driving me crazy.. too slow!
I’ve been running it for a week, was ‘ok’ until i upgraded my nvidia drivers, it’s quite speedy to be honest, no window switch lag, and keep in mind, i’m on an old compaq 933mhz intel p3 with 512mb ram, and 160gb drive, XP with no service packs, runs just as fast, but SP3 is good, i’ll keep it
This isnt something that should be downloaded… when its ready Automatic Update will find it and tell you, then play around with it…
@60
must be a fake or mislabled — cannot be 32/64 if 64 is not out yet. hmmm
@5
xp64 is based on 2003, the name ‘xp’ has little to do with the actual os
when 2003 gets its service packs, xp64 gets them the same time, just last year sp2 came out
do your homework
The most simple answer to all your statements and questions is: Use Linux.
I installed on legal XP, internet stopped to work after restart, even localhost didn’t work with PHP … switched back and all works now
@ MorpheuZ
ubuntu
works fine here. only snag I ran into was that the modified uxtheme.dll I was using to load themes from customize.org had to be updated (info on how to install is on customize.org)
newest dll from here works:
http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=16025
also if you modified tcpip.sys to support 50 half open connections rather than 10 (for torrents or whatever), you’ll have to do that again
program to do that is here:
http://www.lvllord.de/?lang=en&url=downloads
@20 Eric the Midget, how does your Dos set-up cope with Crysis then?
-pr1ck
@ CajuCLC
ive found games work better with sp3
I’m going to let the noobs download this first and point and laugh as they find things going wrong.
Remember what happened with Service Pack 2?! That was “ready for release” but programs broke and it took months for Microsoft and other companies to get things fixed. I’ll pass.
I seem to recall an article (dream state)()()()()()()()()()()()()()() oh ay on here called
Microsoft to remove Vista kill switch feature
Posted on 05.12.2007 at 20:11 in Tech News by Martin
in it stated Microsoft on Tuesday said it will cease hobbling Windows Vista installations that fail the company’s validation processes in its forthcoming Service Pack 1 update, scheduled for next year.Currently, Microsoft penalizes Vista users that fail to activate their operating system software within 30 days, or three days after a major hardware configuration
now this seems funny to me that @ the same time this kill switch is being deployed sp3 for XP comes out as an in between test and a done version.
Don’t take My word for it but I believe that its just another way for ms to make sure you have a non pirated copy of XP
I did have sp3 on my system and having an authenticated version of xp it just made my system think there was a ton of spy’s on it as well as a back door or black hole if thats the term used nowadays. and left my pc open to all kinds of crap. so I reinstalled and every went back to norm.
ms wants every one to use vista which in my opinion stinks.
it’s way slower than xp even when xp first came out.
vista probably will be faster if pc manufacturers put higher
processeser into pc when they first ship but in order to do that they would start charging more money and where will that lead us back to the days when only the rich had such things as a personal home computer. besides that they want to be able to get into ur system when ever they want like they do with vista so stay clear and when the finale version gets released say no to the upgrade…….
“never show fear in the face of a dead PC”
I’m Running ETHO XP Corporate with SP2 integrated and I don’t use any cracks or WGA bypasses on my computer. After I install XP I just wait for MS to auto update and just say no to installing the WGA tool. I still get all the updates, there is no annoying messages and everything works just fine.
I installed SP3 last night and no problems at all. No serials or activation codes needed. I just downloaded the standalone version of SP3 and installed from there. Noticed a nice speed increase as well. It was kind of strange though that right after the install was done and the computer restarted XP did an automatic update for “Malicious Software Removal”.
thanks for the date Derek
cheers
What difference does it make if the British ‘Empire’ was the foremost global power at one time? I was also the prince of persia in a previous lifetime….wat difference?? History is history. lets just talk abt the release (presuming thts why this comment column exists)
As for SP3 – use it on an ETH0 release if you must use it on a pirated copy i.e. the student or the corporate version. Rest other copies, are just bound to get screwed. As I am finding ou the hard way!
it slow down torrent application..
Everyone knows that the ottoman empire was the real superpower. The british empire sucked in comparison.
After seeing this a while back with reports of an application increase in performance, i was intrigued 2 c how much of an increase this was, and if it was 4 all applications, and not just microsoft apps (Was tested on Office i believe with 10% increase in performance).
So whilst downloading it, i looked around the web 4 some evidence on wether or not this was true, and if so if it was exaggerated. Lo’ an behold, i came across a popular gaming hardware site, tht posted articles on new releases on information, for new hardware and software.
After reading the comments, i was led to believe tht this actually might be true… And it was.
Like some1 had said, i quicky benchmarked a few games, running at 1280×1024, everything as high as pos, and then did the same after installing SP3 to compare. The best increase came from the source engine, with a 30FPS increase in average from using the video stress test.
I couldnt believe it, but was amazed tht this was finally something tht microsoft did right in terms of there OS.
Other than tht it is noticeablely quicker @ opening windows etc.
Give it a try, although i cant promise the same kind of increase, since it probably depends on ur hardware.
If you have working XP-Pro SP2 with all updates, do you need SP3?
saw 3 eth0 releases of windows xp with sp3 today
Microsoft.Windows.XP.Professional.Corporate.SP3.RC1.Build.3244.Integrated-ETH0
Microsoft.Windows.XP.Professional.N.Corporate.SP3.RC1.Build.3244.Integrated-ETH0
Microsoft.Windows.XP.Professional.Student.Edition.SP3.RC1.Build.3244.Integrated-ETH0
dunno if they are on torrents yet
Here it is
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Corporate SP3 RC1 Build 3244 Integrated-ETH0
Download :
http://rapidshare.com/files/78826370/3-xpncsp3b3244.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/78826445/3-xpncsp3b3244.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/78826506/3-xpncsp3b3244.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/78826621/3-xpncsp3b3244.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/78826763/3-xpncsp3b3244.part5.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/78826885/3-xpncsp3b3244.part6.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/78826919/3-xpncsp3b3244.part7.rar
Mirror :
http://netload.in/dateib9e117ab53125d47b8284c78571af0de/3-xpncsp3b3244.part1.rar.htm
http://netload.in/dateidb3dde946c7a3adab81cfab84a09d33d/3-xpncsp3b3244.part2.rar.htm
PASS :
http://irfree.com
Windows.Xp.Pro.SP3.v3264.Beta.(VLK).Corp-PROPER
http://thepiratebay.org/tor/3946163
For those of you with HD audio, do as this person did:
Managed to solve the problem finally. After having read several forumtopics I’ve found out there is no support in sp3 for hd audio. But after downloading new realteak driver from asus I found something SP2 related in that folder and extracted this. Going to devicemanager and pointed the yellow device to that extracted folder and it begin installing Microsoft UAA bus driver which wasn’t in my devicemanager before. And voila sound came out of my speakers. My sounddrivers was installed before when doing this.
I did not mean to post this in the wrong topic but I couldn’t find this one until now. But this is a read me to all of you who went ahead and downloaded this. Props to you that did not.
n00bs; Click the link below to read what I was supposed to put in THIS topic.
http://www.rlslog.net/microsoft-already-works-on-internet-explorer-8/#comment-191138
@3 haha sure…the newer it gets the slower it also gets…
some reality: xp is THE best windows os ever and will propably be that untill game studios start developing games only for vista and dx10 so grab all the updates u can that will actually work and not slow down…
so want a good game os that plays anything whitout problems :XP
want a os that just looks good and have A LOT of never used resources in ur pc :vista
want ur pc to be as fast as possible but maybe not that compatible with games : win98/2000/me