Windows XP Service Pack 3 has long been rumored and in December, Microsoft issued the release candidate of this product. A release candidate is the anticipated final product, but one still subject to change. As with so many long-awaited pieces of software, many people want to get it loaded and running on their systems. Are there implications to loading the release candidate for the third service pack to the very successful Windows XP operating system? There can be, and that is the reason for my article.

Should I install Windows XP SP3 RC today?
Windows XP Service Pack 3 is a release candidate. For those of you who may not understand the significance of the designation, a product that is a release candidate is this: Something more than beta and yet still a pre-release version of the software. To read the available whitepaper on this pre-release software, one would think, “Sure, why not, let’s get it installed.” After all, Microsoft says that Windows XP SP3 RC is a rollup that includes all previously released updates for Windows XP. This rollup includes security updates, out-of-band releases, and hotfixes. In addition to these known updates, XP SP3 RC also contains a “small number” of new updates, but should “not significantly” change the Windows XP experience. What does that mean? It means that Microsoft does not think that the changes they have made with the new patches should have any adverse affect on your ability to use Windows XP or the way your applications work. Now, you users who had the problem with the security update that was designed to protect you from a problem with Rich Text Format and Fonts, reflect on that for just a minute. OK, so that means that you might just have problems. In fact, in the release information, Microsoft does indicate that this software should not yet be installed on primary or mission-critical systems. This translates to, if you are a beta-testing junkie, install the software. However, if you have a work system that you need to do your job and get paid, you might want to wait.

Why so negative?
I am not trying to be negative. I have been a beta tester of many software companies since the early nineties and I can tell you sometimes the updates are just what I have been waiting for with products. Other times, I’ve wound up restoring my system from a floppy disc or 40 MB tape cartridge. Testing can be fun, especially if there is nothing on your system that you are worried about losing. The truth is that most people are lax in their backup procedures and many will only reach for those backups after there has been a catastrophic loss. Using prerelease software can bring about one of those catastrophes. How? Well, no matter how well a machine is tested, your particular combination of hardware and software and the levels for drivers can cause this to happen. Installing Windows XP SP3 RC may also affect your ability to get support for your applications. Vendors rarely support problems with their applications while using beta or pre-release software, so this should also be considered prior to installation of the update.

What does it include?
So, after all of that, what does it include? Windows XP SP3 combines all previously-released performance, security, and stability updates. So no matter what version of Windows XP you are currently running (Windows XP SP1 or SP2). It does not include Windows XP 64-bit edition, which requires a different patch, as the x64 editions of Windows XP were serviced by Windows Server 2003 SP2. Windows XP SP3 also provides a limited number of new and enhanced functionalities. With this release, Windows XP SP3 attempts to create a new baseline for customers still deploying Windows XP, to help them avoid the inconvenience of applying individual updates. In doing so, however, it also installs some individual updates that may have been intentionally skipped during the update process, so that is something to be considered. Also note that the download size of SP3 complete is approximately 580 MB. One good thing is that it does still allow for the deployment of Internet Explorer 6 or 7 so you can still choose the correct browser for your installation. There is an article on the Microsoft support site that you can review that gives a link to the white paper on this release candidate and instructions for installing and uninstalling this update (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929)

What should you do now?
For now, just wait until the update appears on the Windows Update or Microsoft Update Web sites, unless you are an adrenaline junkie who likes to live on the wild side! Just remember, if you install this operating system update, you should first have a complete backup of your system to fall back on and keep the uninstall instructions close at hand!

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