What is Service Pack 3, and how long will Microsoft continue to support Windows XP?
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) arrived in May 2008. The arrival of SP2 in 2004 is what turned Windows XP from an average operating system, to a world winning, best ever operating system. SP3 builds on this solid platform. SP3 is a cumulative update patch, which includes SP2. Microsoft said they would not be manufacturing Windows XP with SP3 included on the CD – SP3 is available as a downloadable update via Automatic Updates – then towards the end of July 2008 Microsoft went ahead and started manufacturing Windows XP CDs with SP3 included without telling anyone! Microsoft originally planned to support Windows XP until April 2014, slating January 2008 as the last date that you could buy it. Because Windows Vista was such a disaster, the chop off date for availability of Windows XP was extended until 30th June 2008. Microsoft are again sliding on their decision to end the life of Windows XP. We’re now informed that the last date to buy Windows XP is January 2009. We shall keep selling Wi
