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.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 for XP SP3 and Vista SP1

Microsoft has made Service Pack 1 for .NET Framework 3.5 for Windows Server 2008 available for download. Designed to integrate seamlessly with Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is now live on the Microsoft Download Center.
download - comments - 11.8.2008

Vista SP1 RC Leaves XP SP2 in the Dust, but What About XP SP3?

Although Microsoft has indicated a strong disapproval of benchmarking tests involving development milestones of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the temptation is simply too big to ignore.
windows - comments - 17.1.2008

Microsoft Makes Its Own Vista SP1 vs. XP SP2, Leaves XP SP3 Out

Ever since the advent of Window Vista, at the end of November 2006 for businesses and in January 2007 for the general public, Microsoft has virtually invited the comparison between the two operating systems.
windows - comments - 8.5.2008

It All Comes Down to Going Either for XP SP3 or for Vista SP1

Starting with May 6, 2008, the question is no longer about Windows Vista RTM vs. Windows XP SP2, but rather about Vista SP1 or XP SP3.
windows - comments - 9.5.2008

Vista SP1 or XP SP3?

Windows users are at a juncture in terms of operating system choices at this point in time, caught between Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3 and Windows 7.
windows - comments - 24.6.2008

Are XP SP3 and Windows 7 Getting in the Way of Vista SP1?

Are Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Windows 7 getting in the way of Windows Vista and Vista Service Pack 1? Well, Microsoft's position is exactly this.
windows - comments - 21.1.2008

The Vista SP1 vs. XP SP3 part 2

The Windows Vista vs. Windows XP face-off is far from over. Not only that, but the smackdown of the two operating systems is about to enter into its next stage of evolution with Microsoft launching the latest service packs for both platforms.
common - comments - 26.4.2008

XP SP3 vs. Vista SP1 - Which is fastest?

In the TalkBack section on my post looking at SP3 benchmarks, _deitrich asked a really good question: Adrian, how about a comparison of XP SP3 vs Vista SP1? Oui? C’est possible?
windows - comments - 28.4.2008

XP SP3 Completely Asphyxiated under Vista SP1

The third service pack for Windows XP is missing in development and buried under Windows Vista Service Pack1.
windows - comments - 30.8.2007

Forget about Vista SP1, Just Go with XP SP3 and Windows 7

Windows Vista has managed to deliver an experience at the opposite pole of the Wow, becoming in this context a bitter disappointment for Microsoft.
windows - comments - 29.11.2007

Patch Vista and XP to Ignore SP1 and SP3

With Microsoft having released Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Released Candidate via Connect, MSDN and TechNet, and a public build on the horizon any day now, you have to stare the truth in the face and start preparing for the deployment of the service pack.
windows - comments - 10.12.2007

No More Registry from Vista SP1 and XP SP3 to Windows 7?

Windows 7 is the next iteration of the Windows operating system that will succeed Windows Vista. Following the availability of the latest Windows Client, Windows Vienna was the codename for the next version of Windows.
windows - comments - 16.1.2008

Windows 7 Is Here! Don't Give Vista SP1 and XP SP3 a Second Look

Windows 7, the successor of Windows Vista and the next iteration of Windows is here. Forget about Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3, Microsoft has currently began serving an early development milestone of its next Windows operating system to partners.
windows - comments - 17.1.2008

XP SP3 Sacrificed on the Altar of Vista SP1

If there was any doubt in your mind as to Microsoft's priorities regarding its two Windows client available concomitantly, Windows Vista and Windows XP, the race to bring the service packs for the two operating systems to the finish line[ADMAR=1] should offer some indications as to the company's strategy
windows - comments - 23.4.2008

The Ugly Side of Vista SP1 vs. XP SP3

With Windows Vista and Windows XP concomitantly available on the market, the Redmond company inherently catalyzed the comparison between the two Windows clients.
windows - comments - 25.4.2008

Users Not Upgrading XP to Vista (Even with SP1), SP3 Didn't Do it

Over a year after the general availability of Windows Vista (January 30, 2007), and a year and a half after the business launch of the latest Windows client (November 30, 2006), the product has yet to receive the love forecasted by Microsoft.
windows - comments - 19.5.2008

Windows Installer 4.5 for XP SP3 and Vista SP1

Microsoft has made available for download a new version of the Windows Installer Redistributable package on June 2, 2008.
windows - comments - 3.6.2008

Downgrade from Windows Vista SP1 to XP SP3

The introduction of Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista and of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, along with the June 30 retail and OEM availability cut-off date for XP, have generated a consistent a mount of confusion over the future of the two Windows clients.
windows - comments - 6.6.2008

Vista SP1 Release Follows XP SP3 to WSUS

Microsoft is closing in on the final stage of Windows Vista SP1's availability. In this context, the service pack is being wrapped up for delivery through Windows Server Update Services.
windows - comments - 20.6.2008

New Round of Vista SP1 and XP SP3 Vulnerabilities

Microsoft is cooking patches for a new round of vulnerabilities impacting its Windows client and operating systems and Server software, including Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3.
windows - comments - 4.7.2008

AutoCollage 2008 for Vista SP1 and XP SP3

AutoCollage 2008 is a project developed by Microsoft Research Cambridge and made available for download as of September 4, 2008.
download - comments - 4.9.2008

Just 1 Patch Cooking for Vista SP1 and XP SP3

December 2008 was a sufficiently tough month for Microsoft, when it came down to plugging security holes in its products, but January 2009 will more than make up for it.
windows - comments - 11.1.2009

New Beta Builds of Vista SP1 and XP SP3 in December?

Microsoft is hard at work hammering away at the two service packs designed to refresh the Windows XP and Windows Vista clients.
windows - comments - 9.11.2007

Vista SP1 RC Preview Is Here, XP SP3 Beta Up Next

If you are waiting for the first beta of Windows XP Service Pack 3, go ahead and start holding your breath. Microsoft’s latest moves in the service pack arena offer clear indication of the fact that the baking time for the Windows XP SP3 Beta is almost over.
windows - comments - 17.11.2007

New Hardware for Vista SP1 DirectX 10.1 - XP SP3 Too?

Microsoft is currently in the final stages of cooking both Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3. In December 2007, the first public builds of Vista SP1 and XP SP3, namely the Release Candidates became available for download.
windows - comments - 15.1.2008

Vista SP1 Confirmed for February 15 – XP SP3 Too?

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is just around the corner. Despite the fact that Microsoft continues to point to the first quarter of 2008 as the deadline for the delivery of Vista's first service pack, it appears that the refresh will drop as early as next month.
windows - comments - 24.1.2008

Windows 7 Will Stretch into the Cloud, Beyond Vista SP1 and XP SP3

If you think that Windows Vista, or Vista Service Pack 1, or even Windows XP Service Pack 3 are the apex when it comes down to the Windows operating system, then you should reconsider...
windows - comments - 24.1.2008

Vista SP1 Confirmed for February 15 – XP SP3 Too?

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is just around the corner. Despite the fact that Microsoft continues to point to the first quarter of 2008 as the deadline for the delivery of Vista's first service pack, it appears that the refresh will drop as early as next month.
windows - comments - 25.1.2008

XP SP3 and Vista SP1 Are in the Clear, Word Is Still Out on Windows 7

While Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista are in the clear, word is still out on Windows 7, when it comes down to antitrust issues.
windows - comments - 13.3.2008

Free Vista SP1 Deployment Toolkit Available – Nothing for XP SP3

With Windows Vista Service Pack 1 having RTM'd on February 4, 2008, and out to the general public as of March 18, Microsoft has made available for download its free toolkit designed to streamline and automate the deployment of desktop and server operating systems.
download - comments - 22.3.2008

Rumor: Vista SP1 coming February 18, XP SP3 on March 23

French tech website PC INpact is reporting that it got its grubby little hands on the exact release dates of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 as well as Windows XP Service Pack 3. According to a source, Vista SP1 is to be released on the night of February 18 while XP SP3 will be released on the night of March 23.

Although Microsoft has not given a tight timeframe for when to expect XP SP3, it did state earlier that Vista SP1 will be available in mid-March. The screenshots should be therefore taken with a grain of salt. It is possible that these memos were sent out before Microsoft delayed Vista to mid-March. Could it be that the Vista date is wrong but the XP one is correct?


Read full story.....
neowin.net - 07.02.2008

Windows Vista SP1 and Windows XP SP3: Official Release Dates

A French website, PC Inpact, has posted the official Microsoft product change request forms for Vista SP1 and Windows XP SP3. So just when do our friends from France say Microsoft is planning on releasing our little Service Pack friends? Well, according to them, we will be seeing Vista SP1 a little earlier than previously anticipated:



Windows Vista SP1: February 18th or 19th

Windows XP SP3: March 23rd or 24th




winbeta.org - 06.02.2008

Expiration dates for Vista SP1 and XP SP3 blocks announced

If you're an IT professional and currently using Microsoft's Service Pack Blocker, the software giant recently announced that the current blocks for Vista SP1 and XP SP3 are going to expire in a few months. The Service Pack Blocker Tool only temporarily prevents Windows from the installation of a Service Pack via Windows Update, and the block is only effective for one year after the Service pack is released to the market via Windows Update. Effective April 28th, 2009, Windows Vista SP1 will no longer be blocked by the tool and will be delivered via Windows Update. The same goes for Windows XP SP3, but the block will be lifted on May 19th, 2009.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 30.01.2009

XP SP3 speed lead over Vista SP1 narrows under similar workloads

A heavily promoted performance test by an evaluation software firm appeared to situate Windows Vista SP1 performance against Windows XP SP3. But the initial workloads were actually different due to the Office software used...
betanews.com - 28.11.2007

XP SP3 outperforms Vista SP1, but less when running same Office version

A heavily promoted performance test by an evaluation software firm appeared to situate Windows Vista SP1 performance against Windows XP SP3. But the initial workloads were actually different due to the Office software used...
betanews.com - 28.11.2007

Windows Vista SP1 & XP SP3 Release Dates

A French website, PC Inpact, has posted the official Microsoft product change request forms for Vista SP1 and Windows XP SP3. So just when do our friends from France say Microsoft is planning on releasing our little Service Pack friends? Well, according to them, we will be seeing Vista SP1 a little earlier than previously anticipated:

Windows Vista SP1: February 18th or 19th
Windows XP SP3: March 23rd or 24th


jcxp.net - 06.02.2008

Select group of testers get new builds of XP SP3, Vista SP1

Microsoft released yet more test builds of both Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 and Windows Vista SP1 this week.



Microsoft made the newest test build of XP SP3, which it is calling XP SP3 Release Candidate (RC) Refresh 2, available to 15,000 testers on January 23, Microsoft officials said. It also released a new refresh of its Vista SP1 build, known as Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2, to the same 15,000 testers on January 24, execs said.




winbeta.org - 25.01.2008

Windows XP SP3 Yields Performance Gains Over Vista SP1

After a disappointing showing by Windows Vista SP1 (see previous post), we were pleasantly surprised to discover that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (v.3244) delivers a measurable performance boost to this aging desktop OS. Testing with OfficeBench showed an 10% performance boost vs. the same configuration running under Windows XP w/Service Pack 2.

Since SP3 was supposed to be mostly a bug-fix/patch consolidation release - unlike w/Vista SP1, Microsoft made no promises of improved performance for XP - the unexpected speed boost comes as a nice bonus. In fact, XP SP3 is shaping-up to be a "must have" update for the majority of users who are still running Redmond's not-so-latest and greatest desktop OS.

Of course, none of this bodes well for Vista, which is now more than 2x slower than the most current builds of its older sibling. Suffice to say that performance-minded users will likely choose to stick with the now even speedier Windows XP - at least until more "Windows 7" information becomes publicly available.


Read full story.....
neowin.net - 24.11.2007

Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate Goes To MSDN

Microsoft made available on December 3 for download the near-final Release Candidate (RC) of Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3.



The RC is available to all Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet subscribers. This isn't yet a generally available, "public" RC of XP SP3; that is still coming at some future date that Microsoft hasn't disclosed.



Microsoft provided an RC "preview" of XP SP3 to 15,000 testers in mid-November.



Microsoft is still on track to ship the final XP SP3 in the first half of calendar 2008. XP SP3 is a rollup of all previously released XP updates, according to Microsoft, "including security updates, out-of-band releases, and hotfixes."



Lately, Microsoft has been releasing XP SP3 and Vista SP1 builds in lockstep. (The same 15,000 testers that got XP SP3 RC preview also got the Vista SP1 RC preview.) Given that Microsoft told its own employees to expect the company to make the RC of Vista SP1 more broadly available some time this week, it seems logical that the Vista SP1 RC is right around the corner, too.




jcxp.net - 05.12.2007

Did Microsoft Lose XP SP3 on the Way to Vista SP1 RTM?

Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008... In the end its all Windows to Microsoft. Right? Well... in all fairness, you do have to keep in mind that all Windows platforms are equal, but some Windows operating systems are more equal than others... And in this context, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are privileged over Windows XP. Microsoft is essentially choosing to ignore the vast majority of Windows users.



According to data from Net Applications, the install base of XP is over 75% of all the operating systems, with Vista at just over 10%. But statistics are by no means impressive to Microsoft. Throughout the development process of Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008, the Redmond company has been pushing Windows XP SP3 to the background. Even though XP SP3 was developed alongside Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008.




winbeta.org - 05.02.2008

WinXP SP3 Yields Performance Gains Over Vista SP1 Again

exo.blog has at the request of their members re-run the original OfficeBench test, this time with 2GB of RAM in the test system. Unfortunately the outcome is unchanged bar a 4% improvement on the previous score. One can argue that Windows XP system requirements are quite a bit lower than its successor, and thats probably got a lot to do with it. This, coupled with claims that Vista SP1 will not improve on performance but will in fact be all about stability and reliability instead, doesn't offer much hope for those people on older systems.

Make of it what you will, I personally don't have performance issues at all. I use Vista with 2GB of RAM and I have a Sandisk 2GB memory stick that is used for the "Ready Boost" feature, maybe they should re-run the test with that scenario.

Chris Pirillo had this to say on all those negative articles surrounding Windows Vista, enjoy!


Read full story.....
neowin.net - 28.11.2007

Windows XP SP3 RC goes to MSDN, TechNet testers

Microsoft made available on December 3 for download the near-final Release Candidate (RC) of Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3. The RC is available to all Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet subscribers. This isn’t yet a generally available, “public” RC of XP SP3; that is still coming at some future date that Microsoft hasn’t disclosed. Microsoft provided an RC “preview” of XP SP3 to 15,000 testers in mid-November.

Microsoft is still on track to ship the final XP SP3 in the first half of calendar 2008. XP SP3 is a rollup of all previously released XP updates, according to Microsoft, “including security updates, out-of-band releases, and hotfixes.”

Lately, Microsoft has been releasing XP SP3 and Vista SP1 builds in lockstep. (The same 15,000 testers that got XP SP3 RC preview also got the Vista SP1 RC preview.) Given that Microsoft told its own employees to expect the company to make the RC of Vista SP1 more broadly available some time this week, it seems logical that the Vista SP1 RC is right around the corner, too.


neowin.net - 04.12.2007

Vista SP1 Also Halted

This is a bit of an update to the story posted earlier, but just so everyone knows… Vista SP1 and Windows XP SP3 have been halted. I know there are a bunch of websites out there telling you that they are available through Windows Update but that is incorrect. Both Vista SP1 and WinXP SP3 have been pulled for now.


jcxp.net - 30.04.2008

Is Microsoft Playing Games With XP SP3?

Call it a Hamlet moment for the PC industry, filled with political intrigue and machinations worthy of the great Shakespeare play: to wait for XP SP3 or move to Vista now that Microsoft has released Vista SP1? Or in other words: "To XP, or not to XP?" That is the question.

It's a question that is burning up the blogosphere with some speculating that Microsoft has delayed XP SP3, a long awaited release that could boost the performance of XP, to get more users to adopt Vista, a potential cash cow for Microsoft and PC makers given the operating system's robust hardware refresh requirements.

With many in the blogosphere speculating that Microsoft could release the final version of XP SP3 this week, Microsoft late Tuesday snuffed out all hope that users would see the service pack, originally slated for release in 2006, any time soon.


Read full story.....
neowin.net - 26.03.2008

Retail Vista SP1 and final XP SP3 expected this week

Microsoft is poised to release Windows Vista Service Pack (SP1) to the retail channel this week. And the final release-to-manufacturing (RTM) of Windows XP SP3 is not far behind, according to testing sources.



Amazon.com has published to its site Vista SP1 availability dates of Wednesday March 19. (Thanks to Computerworld for spotting Amazons SP1 availability notice.)



<...> Over the weekend of March 15, another new test build of XP SP3 leaked out. The latest XP SP3 build, No. 5503, was available on torrent sites over the weekend, testers said.




winbeta.org - 17.03.2008

Gaming Performance: Windows Vista SP1 vs. XP SP3

Even as Microsoft tries to shove Windows Vista down the collective and unwilling throat of computer users worldwide, the company is still perfecting the well-aged and well-loved Windows XP. The latter of the two operating systems just received its third (and evidently last) service pack.



<...> Of course, with the release of a new service pack comes a huge, pressing question: How does it compare to Windows Vista and its own recent update, Service Pack 1, in the game performance department? Vista, of course, has been plagued by criticism that games run on it don't perform as well as they do in Windows XP, even though most of the problems were due to early graphics drivers and have gradually been worked out.



Come with us as we install XP SP3 and take it for a test drive, and more importantly compare it to Vista SP1 with a batch of performance tests. Though DirectX 10 is Vista-only, many a gamer has sworn not to upgrade; will XP SP3 cement their decision, or has Vista and its drivers matured enough to change a few minds?




winbeta.org - 12.05.2008

Windows Feature Comparison - Vista SP1 vs XP SP3

Microsoft has just released a whitepaper, which compares the following features and capabilities of Windows Vista with SP1 & Windows XP with SP3 : Security, Management, Deployment, Mobility, and Productivity.

This Windows Feature Comparison white paper helps customers compare Windows Vista® advancements with Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional. Using this comparison, customers can adjust their expectations for the security, management, deployment, mobility, and productivity of either operating system. For each feature or capability, each section compares key Windows Vista advancements against Windows XP. Presented in a tabular format, it does make an interesting read.


neowin.net - 23.05.2008

Vista or XP? How about both?

Scott Lowe: Now that Windows Vista SP1 is peeking out from around the e-corner, many śpre-SP1 adverseť organizations will probably begin the process of evaluting Vista in their organizations. However, for the foreseeable future, there will be those that swear by Windows XP and its stability and performance. So, whos right? Why not both?



As much as it will pain some to admit it, Vista does have some redeeming qualities. And, for others, Windows XP continues“and will continue“to serve a very useful purpose in the enterprise. So, what are some of the situations in which it might make sense to run both Windows Vista and Windows XP in the organization? And, what are the challenges involved in doing so?




winbeta.org - 22.02.2008

New NX APIs added to Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3 and Windows Server 2008

Michael Howard: In the interests of helping secure the platform, we want more people to opt-in to using Data Execution Prevention (aka DEP aka NX), and we have lowered the barrier to entry for application developers in Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3 and Windows Server 2008.



We've added some new APIs that allow a developer to set DEP on their process at runtime rather than using linker options. The new APIs also give developers some more flexibility if your application uses an older version of the Abstract Type Library (ATL.) Before I explain the new APIs, let me give you a little history behind ATL and NX.




winbeta.org - 30.01.2008

XP SP3 RC Preview Clarification

I just noticed a post at Bink.nu where Steven mentions that the XP SP3 RC Preview is now available on Connect. Just to clarify, Microsoft have not released any new build of XP SP3 to the general Windows Beta Program. While there is the possibility that he may be talking about a different private beta program on Connect, the main Windows Beta Program on Connect which houses the Vista SP1/Server 2008/XP SP3 betas was last updated with the XP SP3 Beta (Build 3205) in early October.




winbeta.org - 24.10.2007