A Web site that leaked details of Windows XP Service Pack 3 over the weekend claimed that the update INCLUDES several new features, including some borrowed from Windows Vista.

According to NeoSmart Technologies, Windows XP SP3 build 3205, which was released to beta testers on Sunday, includes four new features among the 1,000-plus individual hot fixes and patches that have been issued since XP2's debut three years ago.

Features backported from Vista, said NeoSmart, include Network Access Protection (NAP), an enterprise policy enforcement technology that inspects client PCs before they access a corporate network, then updates the machines if necessary or blocks them if they don't meet specified security criteria.

Other additions range from a kernel module containing several encryption algorithms that can be accessed by third-party developers, to a new Windows activation model that doesn't require users to enter a product key.

Microsoft had previously announced SP3 support for NAP, which is part of Windows Vista and will be included in the not-yet-finalized Windows Server 2008.

Windows XP SP3, which Microsoft has said will be released early in 2008, will be one more move by the developer to extend the lifespan of the six-year-old operating system. Last month, for example, Microsoft gave Windows XP a five-month reprieve by pushing back the end of retail sales and sales of XP-powered PCs by large resellers to June 30, 2008.

And last week, Microsoft debuted a new "get-legal" program that lets companies purchase large quantities of Windows XP Professional licenses through their usual resellers.

Microsoft was not immediately available for comment on the leak, or the new features touted by NeoSmart.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,138251/article.htmlIt makes no sense from a business perspective for Microsoft to release XP SP3 while also trying to motivate people to migrate to Vista. XP SP3 is going to increase XP's lifespan for another two or three years (if it is nearly as successfuly as SP2).

SP1 for Vista is due out within the next few months, but so many users are already so furious with Vista that it might not help improve Vista's tarnished reputation.It looks like Vista is just a repeat of Windows ME. Too many problems for the amount of hype. Looking forward to Windows 2010. (Is there a name for it yet?)
Seems like every other version of windows is the winner. Windows 3.1 (ok?), 95 (bad), 98SE (good), ME (bad), XP (good), Vista (bad), next?What this shows is the lack of foresight / hands on approach to marketing his business,,,, like the STOCK of his company... Bill failed miserably! Gates turned out to be a born again LIB and his company sucks since 2--- *

Don't get me wrong... I still like and use XP professional but... will never touch Vista ... too much hardware/ driver concerns on my part.... He turned into a Hillary supporter... he let us ALL DOWN* If you needed a computer for your office, why would you care about the FANCY looks of Vista, not to mention its software/hardware capability.

I think i'll hold off SP3 until I've tried it somewhere else.lets not all forget that windows vista is still very new,its extending xp's lifespan cause alot of people are worried about vista's compability issues ; i say give it till 2009 and your opinions will all change about vista, including my own . But for now, im sticking with xp <3Quote from: frosthps on October 17, 2007, 10:08:33 PM

lets not all forget that windows vista is still very new,its extending xp's lifespan cause alot of people are worried about vista's compability issues ; i say give it till 2009 and your opinions will all change about vista, including my own . But for now, im sticking with xp <3

Looking forward to Windows 2010. (Is there a name for it yet?)

Quote from: michaewlewis on October 15, 2007, 12:37:40 PM

Looking forward to Windows 2010. (Is there a name for it yet?)

You mean Windows Vienna (Or Windows 7) ??

Hmmm..... I don't like that name. Can we pick another one? (Is that really it?)

Longhorn is supposed to be replaced by Windows Blackcomb in 2007 or 2008. That information ended up being all wrong.

Quote from: Kip on October 19, 2007, 01:56:50 PM

Longhorn is supposed to be replaced by Windows Blackcomb in 2007 or 2008. That information ended up being all wrong.

Actually, it is to be released in 2010.