| Microsoft releases Windows XP Service Pack 3 |
Apr. 29, 2008
Microsoft has released Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP Home and for Windows XP Professional, with availability for Windows XP Embedded expected "at a later date." SP3 combines previously released patches with new "black hole" router detection, network policy enforcement, easier-to-use security, and a new cryptographic module, Microsoft said.
For the most part, SP3 is a rollup of previously released updates to Windows XP, making the operating system easier for administrators to install. "Users no longer need to install three to four years worth of updates when installing Windows XP, and partners have a new, updated baseline on which to test their applications and hardware," the company said.
SP3 does not add Windows Vista features, emphasizes Microsoft, with the exception of Network Access Protection (NAP), a network policy enforcement platform that was previously included in both Vista and Windows Server 2008. NAP allows creating "customized health policies" to validate computer health before allowing network access, and optionally confining non-compliant computers to a restricted network until they become compliant, according to the company.
Windows XP SP3 does include other new functionality, however, including:- "Black hole" router protection
- An improved security user interface
- A FIPS 140-1 Level 1-compliant cryptographic module
- Initial installation without provision of a product key
Windows XP already features "black hole" router detection, allowing it to detect routers that are silently discarding packets. In SP3, however, the feature is turned on by default. Improvements to the security user interface include enhanced security for administrator and service policy entries, and a modified Security Options control panel (see below) featuring re-worded text aimed at avoiding incorrect settings.
SP3's Security Options control panel has more descriptive text
(Click to enlarge)
SP3 also features the Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module (Fips.sys), described by Microsoft as a "FIPS 140-1 Level 1-compliant, general purpose, software-based, cryptographic module." It runs as a kernel-mode DLL, ecapsulating several different cryptographic algorithms in a module accessible by other kernel mode drivers.
Finally, offering a feature much requested by enterprise customers, Windows XP can now be installed initially without providing a product key. The operating system will prompt users for a product key later, once it is already up and running.
Previously available Windows XP patches now included in SP3 are described by Microsoft as follows:- MMC 3.0, a framework aimed an unifying and simplifying day-to-day system management tasks by providing common navigation, menus, toolbars, and workflow across diverse tools
- MSXML6, aimed at providing better reliability, security, and conformance to the W3C's recommendations for XML 1.0 and XML Schemas. It also provides compatibility with System.Xml 2.0, Microsoft said.
- Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1, which provides some fixes as well as new and enhanced functionality
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), which is said to improve security, and is required by Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 and Windows Live OneCare
- IPsec Simple Policy Update, which aims to simplify the creation and maintenance of IPsec filters
- Digital Identity Management Service (DIMS), intended to enable "silent" access to certificates and private application and service keys for users who have logged on to any domain-joined computer
- Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) 2.1, aimed at enabling Windows XP SP3–based programs that use PNRP to communicate with Windows Vista programs that also use it
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), aimed at providing support for WPA2, the wireless security solution derived from the IEEE 802.11i standard
Availability
According to Microsoft Release Program Manager Chris Keroack, SP3 will be pushed to general members of the public during the first week in May, via Windows XP's Windows Update. Meanwhile, it is available now as a direct download for MSDN/TechNet subscribers, here. It may also be found here.
As far as Windows XP Embedded (XPe) goes, it's a matter of "watch this space." According to Keroack, SP3 will be available for XPe "at a later date." To read his blog posting, go here.
Microsoft officials have previously said that a new version of XPe, dubbed Windows Embedded Standard 2008, will be introduced in June at the company's TechEd conference. This will include "the most-requested Vista technologies," such as a new version of Internet Explorer, a revised RDP (remote desktop protocol), a new media player, and updated .NET Framework technology. For more details, see our earlier coverage, here.
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