[HingVista]

With Service Pack 2 installed, Window XP has proven to be a notably durable and reasonably secure version of the operating system. The August 2004 release of SP2 dramatically upgraded the security of the original XP, adding the Windows Firewall and Windows Defender, along with easily configurable options to block or allow specific kinds of traffic into your system. Since SP2 came out, Microsoft has continued to supply fixes and enhancements via Windows (and Microsoft) Updates. For the most part, Windows XP Service Pack 3 simply rolls all the fixes and upgrades into a single convenient package, though there are a few brand-new additions with SP3. Whether the new additions catch your eye or not, security upgrades make applying the service pack a good idea—but make sure you know about possible compatibility issues.

Detailed in this review:
Introduction
So What Else Is New?
Proceed with Caution

Screenshot tour:


Installation


License Agreement


Uninstall Folder


System Scan


Installation Complete


Old Control Panel


New Control Panel

The version of Microsoft Windows XP SP3 reviewed here is a first beta and not available to the general public. Source: PC Mag

[Freka]

Very interesting, thanks.

[PenaltyKillah]

Wow... what a difference. Change the XP icon for Internet Options to the Vista one!

[Razor VinT]

That's a good review, thanks.

[Johnnyboy]

Thanks for the screenshot tour.