Trisha Takanawa
Addict
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2008
- Messages
- 343
If you're still on Windows XP Service Pack 2 or 1, this is the big one. Service Pack 3 is the third and final service pack for XP and rolls up every update since SP2, plus a few extras. This is the full standalone installer, about 330 MB, for the English edition of 32-bit XP Home, Professional, Media Center and Tablet PC editions, so a machine doesn't have to be online to be brought up to date.
Download:
Download Windows XP Service Pack 3
Don't switch the PC off or pull the plug part-way through. An interrupted service pack can leave XP unable to start.
Tip: SP3 replaces the system file that third-party visual styles rely on, so a custom theme stops working afterwards. The Windows XP SP3 Ux Theme Patch puts that right.
Update: Microsoft ended XP support in April 2014, and the download page has gone.
Download:
Download Windows XP Service Pack 3
- Back up anything important, and plug a laptop into the mains.
- Extract the zip and run WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe. Accept the licence and let it run. SP3 can be removed later from Add or Remove Programs if you have to.
- Let it finish. It takes a while and restarts the PC by itself.
- Right-click My Computer > Properties to confirm it now says Service Pack 3.
Don't switch the PC off or pull the plug part-way through. An interrupted service pack can leave XP unable to start.
Tip: SP3 replaces the system file that third-party visual styles rely on, so a custom theme stops working afterwards. The Windows XP SP3 Ux Theme Patch puts that right.
Update: Microsoft ended XP support in April 2014, and the download page has gone.
