Presenting an overview of Windows XP SP3 assembly, which is in the first stage of beta testing and is not available for a wide range of users.

At one time, exit package Service Pack 2, Windows XP helped become quite reliable and secure operating system. Coming in August 2004, SP2 significantly improved the security of the original assembly XP, Windows firewall has been added, and later Windows Defender, however, the comfortable settings blocking unnecessary traffic. Since then, the company continues to produce Microsoft patches and security through improving services and updating Windows Updates Microsoft Updates.

In fact, Windows XP SP3 brings together all the patches and updates in one convenient package, but in addition, he will propose a series of totally new opportunities. Are you interested in the new features or not, but set the SP3 is due to the significant security updates. However, beware of possible software incompatibility problems, which will talk further.

Perhaps SP3 will be the last package of updates to Windows XP, as Microsoft completes the support of the OS in 2009, but the extended support will be in effect until 2014. Hardly already big changes happen in XP. Without referring SP3 and running forward, would like to see it improved use of memory, especially when dealing multimedia programs, and enhanced security system. Several improvements in the utilities for backup and Paint would be very appropriate, because they have not changed significantly since the Windows XP. Exit the next service pack would be good reason to move some elements of the interface Windows Vista, and as a result, this could once again push users to switch to the new OS.

But alas, all that is not in SP3. Most of the changes were not worthy of much attention, and everything else they can already be obtained through Windows Update. SP3 will be most useful to those who have not worked with SP2, or did not hold regular updates through Windows Update, but if you continually upgrade the system, then you will not be so important SP3.

The most notable innovation - a new player Media Player 11 and Internet Explorer 7.0, which many users have long been able to download their own. Should be very careful, we can see new and more precise description of some of the security settings in the Control Panel, which should help users to better understand them. Another notable change in the user interface relates to the task bar, which is now no longer the address bar.

What is new?

First, as is the case with Windows Vista, now during the installation could not drive the key activation. In this case, the input key will be required later during the authentication Genuine Advantage. Secondly, the SP3 support added encryption on the federal information processing standard (FIPS 140-1 Level 1) at the kernel level.

Developers can access the encryption module (Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module), using encryption algorithms to improve the safety of its drivers. In addition, SP3 improved technology is router-"black holes" through the possible transfer of control protocol (TCP). In SP3 this feature activated by default.

Another module added to the network access protection (NAP), through which administrators can establish policies networking machines under Windows XP system and limit opportunities in the case of lack of security. Safety Indicator (or health) PCs, can be based on any combination of anti-virus signatures, firewall and connection settings, as well as on the basis of the current status of a PC, according to Windows Update service. When connecting to the network, the computer must pass a test to check "health" if not managed to pass the test, the access to the network can be denied access or will be limited.

In general, all the new opportunities created in Windows XP Service Pack 3, is actually borrowed from the Windows Vista (and future Windows Server 2008). It is possible that Microsoft will continue to port Windows Vista separate functions, but do not expect the emergence absolutely full functions in Windows Vista aging OS.

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Major security problems will be solved, until the Windows XP will be larger organizations. And given that suppliers continue to offer PCs preloaded with a copy of XP, it could go on for a fairly long time.

As mentioned above, most of the elements are already SP3 can be downloaded separately. These include: secure access module support Wi-Fi version 2 (WPA2) - the most recent upgrade of security for wireless networks, Microsoft Office Console 3.0 (MMC 3.0), Windows Installer 3.1, and digital certificates Management Service (DIMS), which verifies certificates Security and individual keys, when a user to access a server running Windows 2003 SP1 or later operating systems. All of the components are complementary set of huge patches, which are issued through the Windows Update for several years.

The question of compatibility

Set SP3 on the PC under the administration of Windows Embedded or Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs far. That opportunity will come soon. Just leave SP3, in case of Windows XP Starter Edition, otherwise you will not be able to enter into the system. Interesting situation with Windows XP Media Center, computers, of which there are thousands. After installing SP3, such systems cease to receive updates to the Media Center, and often cause trouble Extender devices, including Xbox.

These problems should be resolved by the time withdrawal SP3 (Microsoft has not yet named the exact date). In any case, before installing SP3, when a publicly released assembly, perform compatibility checks.

Most likely, many coming to install Windows Vista SP1 or Windows XP SP3, but these packages will not be able to upgrade significantly change the daily work of users. Furthermore, if this is indeed the end for Windows XP packages, the installation will be an important step toward concluding a stronger and more modern system for protecting PCs.