Last minute bug delays Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1

The third official XP service pack includes all previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates and hotfixes, and select out-of-band releases as well as new functionality such as Network Access Protection (NAP), an update of Windows Product Activation, and security improvements such as improved black hole router detection (those that are silently discarding packets).

"In order to make sure customers have the best possible experience we have decided to delay releasing Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center," the company said in a statement obtained some publications. "To help protect our customers, we plan to put filtering in place shortly to prevent Windows Update from offering both service packs to systems running Microsoft Dynamics RMS. Once filtering is in place, we expect to release Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and Download Center."

The company says that until it has published a fix for the issue, it recommends that Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers not install either service pack and that customers running Microsoft Dynamics RMS and the new updates (Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1) contact Microsoft Customer Support Services for additional information. The fix is currently in testing and we will be available after that process is complete, the company said.

"We plan to put filtering in place shortly to prevent Windows Update from offering both service packs to systems running Microsoft Dynamics RMS [and] once filtering is in place, we expect to release Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and Download Center," the spokesperson added.

Filed under: security, software
Other story tags: Microsoft, Windows, Vista, XP, service pack, XP SP3, Vista SP1