XP SP 3 RC 2 ,Version 1

... would I benefit from it ?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=114F3599-12AF-42B2-AAB1-B969A62C68A7&displaylang=en
from WinCustomize Forums

Hi folks .. thought I might ask a coupla basic .. as in BASIC ( ! ) questions, and here seems to be the right place ..

( and I just happened to be here at the moment heheh!! ) ;p 

Ok here we go ...  Currently XP Pro,SP2 ~

After all the ballyhoohahkerfuffle by MS we are suddenly to be offered via MS Update XP SP 3 ..

What I would like to know from you folks out there who HAVE installed it ...

1.  What Improvements would I expect to find  ?

2. I only use IE7 as my main browser , and Deepnet Explorer .. ( I have had issues with FF a coupla years ago .. so I don't bother with that browser now .. )

3. ... Would I expect there to be any major issues with the install of SP3 , and

4.   Would I be better off waiting for the Final  Release ...  ?

See ? I said it would be easy .. hehe

2,243 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
.. still in mod ?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Based on my experience, wait. Any bugs could interfere with normal usage (as in Stardock stuff) :P

From the HotFix (I think it is a little old though):
Feature Updates
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

if it aint broke - - -

I am sticking with XP SP2 - no need to go to SP3
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey There Pugboy thanks for the reply but if I wanted to go ahead I would have used MS ...That site you linked is full of hacks ... I would go for the real thing (my external link) ...

Nutshell ..perhaps you are right ... hmmm
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
~ Its always best to download from MS !! ;) 
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Mike, wait till Microsoft have released the final version in a few weeks. There's some good stuff in the package and it will tidy up a load of the past updates. Even if you install the RC version now you are still going to have to uninstall that before you install the final version so why bother. Just wait a few more weeks  :) 
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Leo, a point that probably most folks have overlooked.  :CONGRAT: 
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've been using RC1 since it was released.

No complaints here. Everything works fine, no known issues. PC boots faster and seems more stable. Haven't had a crash yet (although I rarely had one before).

Most importantly, it seems to work with ALL my SD apps just fine.....
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey there, Folks .. Thanks for the replies ; sure 'preciate it !!

Leo ... Like you say ,I think I will wait ...

~ however, from what you say , It looks like its' gonna be a good 'un !
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The link was a feature list, not a dl location :)

EDIT:
Look at that. A download is there :) Never download a SP from anywhere except the creators.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The thing about the dl...if you want to dl it from MS, go to their site and search for XP SP3 RC2. It will bring you to a list. You have to install a key in your registry that tells Windows Update that you can dl the RC. It (supposedly) will show up in Win Update......
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's not 'supposedly' I tried it and it works, although I have a clean install of vista now, since I got a new laptop, So I cant give any details of SP3
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's not 'supposedly' I tried it and it works, although I have a clean install of vista now, since I got a new laptop, So I cant give any details of SP3
End of quote


Omni, I only used "supposedly" because I dl'd RC1 directly from the MS site. Didn't have to insert a registry key or use Win Update. I haven't dl'd RC2, mainly because I'm being lazy this weekend....
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
An overview of SP3 is in the link, it's a bit of a let down,it's nothing more than a compilation of previous released security & bug fixes,there's a couple of extra's but nothing to write home about,there's some sort of change to activation but other than that it does'nt appear to be anything like SP2 was.

Can be installed over the top of sp1 & 2


Edit: I was so looking forward to a few new bells & whistles too (:( good thing i got Objectdektop n stuff to keep me company :d




WWW Link

When the final release is made available you should be able to get the SP3 update on cd for free like SP2,just order it from microsoft