Windows XP SP3 ~ to Include Some Vista Features

[honvetops]

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.html

[Doug Vitale]

It 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.

[michaewlewis]

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?

[honvetops]

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*   

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

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.

[frosthps]

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

[michaewlewis]

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

nobody's opinion every changed about Windows ME.......................

[frosthps]

windows me NEVER EXISTED in my mind 

[dairyman]

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

You mean Windows Vienna (Or Windows 7) ??

[michaewlewis]

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?)

[Kip]

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

The name will probably change.

I have an old computer magazine from 2003.  It has a timeline for the Windows versions.  It shows Windows XP will be replaced by Windows Longhorn in 2005.  Windows Longhorn is supposed to be replaced by Windows Blackcomb in 2007 or 2008.  That information ended up being all wrong.

[dairyman]

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. I think it has being sent to Beta testers recently. Not sure about that, but some web pages had pictures of what it would look like.

However, how could they get screen shots of Windows Vienna, if it wasn't released yet?
Maybe the information on the page I was viewing was wrong as well.

[Kip]

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.

I meant that the old magazine article said that Windows Longhorn is supposed to be replaced by Windows Blackcomb in 2007 or 2008.
I should have been more specific.  Sorry for the confusion.