Frequently Asked Questions about XP SP3 (2)

Q: There are a lot of new features now, what new features will there be?

A: Windows XP SP3's large-scale new feature update is not one, but has four small-scale system reliability and security features. When it's different from the story, Microsoft is now very active in publicizing information about these new features. These new features will include the following features: Compatibility with Network AcCESs Protection. This feature, released a few years ago, enables Windows XP computers to collaborate with the NAP features of Windows Server 2008. This feature has been added in the RTM version of Windows Vista. Installation options for product keys are not required. As with Windows Vista, a new installation of XP after applying SP3 eliminates the need to enter the product key (serial number) in the installation interface. Kernel Mode CryptographiCS Module (kernel mode encryption module). According to Microsoft, this should be a new kernel module that "contains some of the different encryption methods." "Black Hole" route check method. With this feature, you can ignore certain network routes and not send network packets correctly under XP. This is also a feature in Windows Vista. The new features are just the above.

Q: Is it just these features? Any other things you can pay attention to?

A: The new components have nothing more than the ones described above. In addition to the new features, there are some updated versions of programs that have been released long before and can be downloaded for integration with Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Media Player 11. In addition, there are some functions that are deleted by the "address bar" in the "taskbar".

Q: So why is Microsoft releasing this update? Isn't there a lot of people ready to migrate to the Vista environment now?

A: Windows XP has improved security, stability and reliability after applying XP SP2, and Windows Vista has been released since then. Maybe XP SP3 is unnecessary. But this does not make it a decision. In the future, there are still many companies planning to import many new Windows XP-based computers. And XP SP2 has also released many update patches, which is also a well-known thing. More than 100 updates released after SP2 are redeploying applications in an enterprise environment, which is a nightmare experience. For users who are already using XP and have regular system updates, there may be no point in the release of XP SP3. However, for users who want to import XP's basic requirements for next-generation computers in the future, XP SP3 is the release that they can focus on. Or another route to import into the Vista environment. Of course, Vista will survive longer than XP and will also provide updates with truly new features.

Q: When will Microsoft release XP SP3?

A: Microsoft will release Windows XP Service Pack 3 in the second quarter of 2008, which is about three months after the release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008.