Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be available later today from Windows Update or the Microsoft download center.

I pre-install Dell computers for customers and these typically ship with Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed. I have to update between 50 to 100 Windows Updates on every new machine. I am not a big fan of home made slip streamed install media unless the OEM or Microsoft supplies it.

In my case its not the worst thing in the world for me spend a hour with each PC prior to customer deployment. I have to support the machine over its lifetime.

Over the years I have found the more time I spend up front the less likely I am to have problems later. So in my pre-install routine I do the initial Windows Update and install all the client software including the anti-virus.

So for updating Windows having access to single file upgrade to SP3 which contains all those missing updates is a big bonus to me and to anyone rebuilding their Windows XP machine.

On a brand new Dell Optiplex GX 755 the installation of SP3 took 6 minutes. This was on a E4500 2.2Ghz Dual Core with 1gb of Ram.

Once the installation was complete I visited Windows Update and was only offered the April version of the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. I was surprised not to be offered Internet Explorer 7.0 on the list.

This seems a little inconsistent with the Windows Update user experience of Windows XP SP2.

So a manual download of IE7 was required

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx

Once IE7 was installed a reboot was required. Then a quick visit to Windows Update showed no priority updates (as of today).

Summary

This all seems quick and painless at the moment. Windows XP SP3 will be getting installed literally millions of times in the coming days/weeks. If there are any significant problems discovered I am sure we will find out pretty quickly.

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