Windows XP SP3 expected today (Brief)

(thetechherald) -- Neowin.net reported last week that OEMs could expect the third Service Pack for Windows XP today. Depending on how well their record for predictions hold, OEMs and TechNet subscribers could be testing the Service Pack by days end.

Neowin.net has predicted each of the major Windows releases in the past, and so far, they have been right each time. According to them, April 29 will be when the public gets the all clear for SP3 downloads via Windows Update.

Included in SP3 are all the updates for Windows XP released since 2004. Additionally, there are a few improvements to consider. NAP. or Network Access Protection (borrowed from Vista), acts as a mini NAC, ensuring that the system is free of bugs and Malware before allowing it on a network.

There is support for black hole router detection, enabled by default, which will detect routers that are silently discarding packets. There is also a new activation model, "As in Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows Vista, users can now complete operating system installation without providing a product key during a full, integrated installation of Windows XP SP3. The operating system will prompt the user for a product key later as part of Genuine Advantage,” Microsoft said.

They also added an important note regarding activation. “The Windows Product Activation changes in Windows XP SP3 are not related to the Windows Vista Key Management Service (KMS). This update affects only new operating system installations from integrated source media. This update affects the installation media only and is not a change to how activation works in Windows XP.”