Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP-2) provides an enhanced security infrastructure that defends against viruses, worms and hackers, along with increased manageability and control for IT experts and an improved experience for users. To aid IT experts in planning and testing for the deployment of Windows XP SP2, Microsoft is making available this preview, based on Release Candidate 2 (RC2) of the SP2.

There are a total of 1,073 fixes in Service Pack 3. A feature set overview has been posted by Microsoft and details new features available separately as standalone updates to Windows XP, as well as features backported from Windows Vista, such as black hole router detection, Network Access Protection, and Windows Imaging Component. Microsoft is reporting that over 1,000 fixes have been packed into SP3 along with some performance improvements as well. Internet Explorer 7 is not included as part of SP3.

New features :
- Black hole router detection
- Network Access Protection
- Credentials security service provider
- Descriptive security options control panel
- Enhanced security for Administrator and Service policy entries
- Microsoft Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module
- Installing without needing a Product Key during Setup

With the release of SP3, retail and OEM versions of Windows XP with service pack 3 slipstreamed into them can be installed and run with full functionality for 30 days without a product key, after which time the user will be prompted to enter a valid key and activate the installation. Volume license versions still require entering a product key.

Microsoft noted SP3 can be installed on systems with Internet Explorer version 6 as well as version 7; and similarly Windows Media Player 9 Series or Windows Media Player versions 10 or 11. Although service packs have, until now, been cumulative, installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 requires that the PC must at least be running Windows XP with Service Pack 1 installed.

However, it is possible to slipstream SP3 into the Windows XP setup files at any service pack level including the original RTM version without any errors or issues. Slipstreaming into Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is not supported. SP3 does contain operating system component updates for Windows XP Media Center Edition and for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition including security updates for .NET
Framework versions 1.0 and 1.1 which are included in these Windows XP SKUs.

However it does not include update rollups for the Windows Media Center app. in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. It also omits Windows Media Player 10 security updates although Windows Media Player 10 is included in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

The license of this software is Freeware, you can free download and free use this driver & update software.