Windows XP SP3 now available via Windows Update

For the people who doesn't want to download from pirated sites and who were waiting for the official release of Windows XP SP3, now the wait is over and it is available for download via Windows Update site though it is still not available on automatic updates.This is the full 316 meg file.

This file can be downloaded here

Windows XP SP3 to Include Some Vista Features

A Web site that leaked details of Windows XP Service Pack 3 over the weekend claimed that the update includes several new features, including some borrowed from Windows Vista.

According to NeoSmart Technologies, Windows XP SP3 build 3205, which was released to beta testers on Sunday, includes four new features among the 1,000-plus individual hot fixes and patches that have been issued since XP2's debut three years ago.

Features backported from Vista, said NeoSmart, include Network Access Protection (NAP), an enterprise policy enforcement technology that inspects client PCs before they access a corporate network, then updates the machines if necessary or blocks them if they don't meet specified security criteria.

Other additions range from a kernel module containing several encryption algorithms that can be accessed by third-party developers, to a new Windows activation model that doesn't require users to enter a product key.

Microsoft had previously announced SP3 support for NAP, which is part of Windows Vista and will be included in the not-yet-finalized Windows Server 2008.

Windows XP SP3, which Microsoft has said will be released early in 2008, will be one more move by the developer to extend the lifespan of the six-year-old operating system. Last month, for example, Microsoft gave Windows XP a five-month reprieve by pushing back the end of retail sales and sales of XP-powered PCs by large resellers to June 30, 2008.

Source: www.pcworld.com

Windows XP SP3 Available for Download In two weeks!!!

Microsoft confirmed officially that Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be made available for download in the next couple of weeks. It seems that Microsoft is continuing the practice of releasing the milestones of the first service pack for Windows Vista and the third refresh for Windows XP concomitantly. The Redmond company initially shipped a pre-beta build of Windows XP SP3 concomitantly with the pre-beta version of Windows Vista SP1 in mid July. Up until this point, Microsoft has been dead quiet about the development of XP SP1, with all details

stopped by the Windows Omerta codename Translucency, set in place by Sinofsky.
Now Microsoft has confirmed that the full beta of the service pack for Windows Vista will be available for download via Connect to some 10,000 to 15,000 testers. Additionally, the Redmond company also announced that the first actual beta of Windows XP SP3 will be delivered to all TechNet and Microsoft Developer Network subscribers. The third refresh for XP is planned for limited availability by mid September. At this point in time, Microsoft failed to reveal if a public beta of the service pack will be offered to users, in a manner similar to that of Windows Vista SP1.
However, unlike Vista SP1 which only now had its final availability date confirmed for the first quarter of 2008, Windows XP SP3 was scheduled all along for the first half of the coming year. In mid July, Microsoft delivered to a select pool of testers Windows XP SP3 pre-beta build 5.1.2600.3180 (xpsp.070718-2058). The version was subsequently leaked to peer-to-peer file sharing networks. Microsoft emphasized that the third service pack for Windows XP, as well as the first service pack for Windows Vista, would not impact considerably the users’ experience on each of the two operating systems. Still, XP SP3 is long overdue as Microsoft delayed the product from 2006, to 2007 and then to 2008. The last refresh, for Windows XP, SP2 was made available back in 2004.

source- softpedia

Microsoft Releases Windows SteadyState, not for Vista

Windows® SteadyState™ is now available. (Windows SteadyState was formerly known as Microsoft® Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP.) Whether you manage computers in a school computer lab or an Internet café, a library, or even in your home, Windows SteadyState helps make it easy for you to keep your computers running the way you want them to, no matter who uses them. Windows SteadyState is easier to download, set up, use, and maintain than Shared Computer Toolkit.
Windows SteadyState runs on genuine copies of Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. And, Windows SteadyState is offered at no charge to Windows Genuine Advantage customers!
SteadyState Helps Make it Easier to Manage Your Shared Computers Shared computers are commonly found in schools, Internet and gaming cafés, libraries, and community centers. It is increasingly common for owners, teachers, or non-technical personnel to manage shared computers in addition to their many other responsibilities.
Managing shared computers can be difficult, technically challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. And what’s more, without system restrictions and protections, users can inadvertently change the desktop appearance, reconfigure system settings, and introduce unwanted software, viruses, and other harmful programs. Repairing damaged shared computers can require significant time and effort.
User privacy is also an issue for shared computer environments. Shared computers often use shared user accounts that make Internet history, saved documents, and cached Web pages available to subsequent users.
Windows SteadyState provides a more effective way to help defend shared computers from changes by untrusted users and unwanted software installations. It can also help safeguard system resources.
What’s New in Windows SteadyState
Windows SteadyState includes many new features and enhanced capabilities. Windows SteadyState is not simply a redesign of the Shared Computer Toolkit; we listened to you, our customers, to better understand how we could provide a solution that could really help you manage and maintain your shared computer environments.
It’s Easier to Use

• Easier to set up – Windows SteadyState installation has been simplified to include User Profile Hive Cleanup Service (UPHClean). Additionally, the improved Windows Disk Protection feature in Windows SteadyState does not require repartitioning.
• Easier to use –
  • The Windows SteadyState UI has been redesigned to help make common tasks easier to manage from one location.
  • With simplified user restriction settings, you can choose a High, Medium, or Low restriction level for each user account.
  • Windows SteadyState enables you to import and export user accounts from one computer to another.
  • Ongoing support efforts include a fully-revised Windows SteadyState Handbook (included in both PDF and XPS formats), updated Help content included with the download, new online demos, and the new Windows SteadyState Community Web site.

It’s More Secure for You and Your Users

• Increased Protection for All Users – Windows SteadyState includes more Windows and program feature restrictions, as well as support for Windows Update. Windows SteadyState also enables you to restrict user access to local programs.
• Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) – There are significant risks to running a non-genuine copy of Windows. Only genuine Windows customers are able to receive Windows product downloads, Windows updates other than security-related updates, and special offers. Windows SteadyState requires that your copy of Windows is genuine before installation. For more information, please visit the Windows Genuine Advantage Web site.

Features Included with Windows SteadyState
Windows SteadyState includes the following features to help you manage your shared computers:

• Getting Started – Provides the initial steps to help you during your first time use of Windows SteadyState.
• Windows Disk Protection – Help protect the Windows partition, which contains the Windows operating system and other programs, from being modified without administrator approval. Windows Disk Protection helps protect the Windows operating system and all files on the computer from permanent change. Any changes made by shared users when they are logged on to the computer are removed when the computer is restarted. Windows SteadyState allows you to set Windows Disk Protection to remove all changes upon restart, to remove changes at a certain date and time, or to not remove changes at all.
• User Restrictions and Settings – The user restrictions and settings can help to enhance and simplify the user experience. Restrict user access to programs, settings, Start menu items, and options in Windows XP. You can also lock shared user accounts to prevent changes from being retained from one session to the next.
• User Account Manager – Create and delete user accounts. You can use Windows SteadyState to create user accounts on alternative drives that will retain user data and settings even when Windows Disk Protection is turned on. You can also import and export user settings from one computer to another—saving valuable time and resources.
• Computer Restrictions – Control security settings, privacy settings, and more, such as preventing users from creating and storing folders in drive C and from opening Microsoft Office documents from Internet Explorer®.

Source: www.microsoft.com

Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Version: 3

Users of the Microsoft Office XP and 2003 programs Word, Excel, or PowerPoint—please install all High-Priority updates from Microsoft Update before downloading the Compatibility Pack.
By installing the Compatibility Pack in addition to Microsoft Office 2000, Office XP, or Office 2003, you will be able open, edit, and save files using the file formats new to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007. The Compatibility Pack can also be used in conjunction with the Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003, Excel Viewer 2003, and PowerPoint Viewer 2003 to view files saved in these new formats.

Download link- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&DisplayLang=en

Windows XP SP3 Coming this Year

According to one of the press releases of Microsoft,the Windows XP SP3 is under development and will be released later this year so really a good news Windows XP users.
Here is what the press release reads-

The Juniper Networks Infranet Controller, the policy management server at the heart of the Juniper UAC solution, will be able to leverage the built-in security assessment capabilities and the SOH protocol provided by the NAP agent built into the Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP operating systems. Microsoft Network Policy Server (NPS) brings a rich ecosystem of NAP health agents and will be able to interoperate with the Juniper Networks UAC solution in heterogeneous network environments.

Microsoft NPS can either act as a policy server or be leveraged by the Juniper Infranet Controller for rich endpoint information. Microsoft is announcing that Windows Vista supports this protocol today and Windows Server 2008 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) will support it as well later this year.

News source:http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/may07/05-21MSJuniperPR.mspx

Windows XP Embedded SP2 Feature Preview 2008 available

If you've been wanting to try out Windows Media Player 11, Internet Explorer 7, .NET 3.0 Framework, Remote Desktop Protocol 6.0, or User-Mode Driver Framework (UMDF) on Windows XP Embedded, here is your chance!

In addition to the new features included in Feature Preview 2008 there have also been some bug fixes and functional enhancements made to File Based Write Filter ( additional disk size reporting option) and to USB Boot (Improved power management).

Windows XP Embedded SP2 "Feature Preview 2008" is now available for download at Connect

Windows XP Embedded SP2 "Feature Preview 2008" Invites Sent Out

Microsoft have started to send out invitations for an upcoming beta related to testing various Windows Vista functionality & components for Windows XP SP2 Embedded:

"The Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2 "Feature Preview 2008" will provide an opportunity for you to evaluate the following Vista functionality & components for Windows XP Embedded: Windows Media® Player 11, Windows® Internet Explorer® 7, Microsoft .NET 3.0 Framework, Remote Desktop Connection 6.0, and User-Mode Driver Framework (UMDF)."

"We ask that you please allocate time in your schedule to download, try out, and give us your feedback on "Feature Preview 2008" as soon as it is available. Please have all feedback submitted through the Connect site before March 23rd, 2007 to allow us enough time to review and possibly incorporate into the final product."

Windows Easy Transfer for Windows XP and Windows 2000

This software installs Windows Easy Transfer on a Windows XP or Windows 2000 based PC. This software is already built into Windows Vista, so it is not necessary to install it on a Windows Vista based PC. Windows Easy Transfer enables you to automatically copy your files, photos, music, email, settings, and more to your new Windows Vista based PC. This makes it much easier to setup your new computer with all your personal data and settings. This software provides support for transfering data with Easy Transfer Cables (Windows 2000 not supported) or across a network, external drive, or CD/DVD. As an alternative to downloading, Windows Easy Transfer can be installed from the CD that came with your Easy Transfer Cable, or by following the directions in the Windows Vista version of Windows Easy Transfer on how to copy the program to Windows XP or Windows 2000. Note: Settings will not be transferred if moving from Windows 2000.

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP; Windows XP 64-bit

Windows Easy Transfer supports the following operating systems:
1) Windows 2000 SP4 to Windows Vista (Data Transfers Only)
2) Windows XP SP2 to Windows Vista
3) Windows Vista to Windows Vista

Windows Easy Transfer supports transfers via any one of the following methods:
1) USB Easy Transfer Cable (Windows 2000 is not supported)
2) Network connection
3) Removable media (such as a USB flash drive or external hard disk)
4) CD or DVD

Download: Windows Easy Transfer for Windows XP and Windows 2000 | 7.9 MB ~ 17.5 MB (WGA Required)

Vista Transformation Pack 6 for Windows XP/2003 Released…Wow!

What a Christmas present this was! Vista Transformation Pack 6 was just released yesterday with all kinds of new goodies including 3rd-party applications for providing features like Taskbar thumbnail previews and a remarkable sidebar just like Vista’s. In case you are unfamiliar with this application I will forewarn you that there is a tendency for it not to uninstall all the way in case you decide that you don’t like it. I think most of the time the problem lies within replacing the icons with the old Windows XP ones, but I have personally never had issues.

With that being said I want to give credit to “Windows X” for making this release better than all previous versions. After installing the Vista Transformation Pack you’ll notice that all of the following have been changed to appear more like Vista:

• Boot screen
• Welcome Screen / Logon Screen
• New msstyles files (visual styles)
• New desktop and file icons
• New toolbar icons
• Progress Dialogs
• Sounds scheme
• System Tray icons
• New Wallpapers
• Windows Media Player Skins

Besides for bug fixes, here is a list of what’s new in version 6:

• Additional Vista related applications:
  • Vista Sidebar
  • VisualTooltip (Taskbar thumbnail view and also have docking mode)
  • Styler with Kaye Irene’s Vista Perfection X4 Styler Toolbar
  • Start Orb (fix cutting edge start orb in msstyles)
  • Vista Live Messenger RC skin
• Applying Vista setup screen transformation in setup integration
• Browsable System files source for uninstallation so user can restore original system files from setup CD during uninstallation
• Display configuration for the best view of machine’s display
• Fixing file’s PE checksum after resource patching to keep files more secure
• Launch & Maintenance Center in transformation destination in case user already have transformed the system
• Partially x64 support for Vista visual stuff but not for system files (experimental)
• Option to reserved updated system files after uninstallation or not
• Skipping system file verification patch on setup integration
• Vista RTM system applications transformation:
  • Photo printing wizard
  • Remote Desktop Connection
  • Volume Control
  • Windows Task Manager
  • System Restore
  • Connection Manager
  • Windows Update Client
  • Media Center

Those of you attempting to upgrade from a previous version of Vista Transformation Pack shouldn’t have a problem, but if you do please mention it in the comments so others know what to expect. This application is so close to Vista that I bet you could trick 99% of the population that don’t have hands-on experience with Vista. So if you are looking to give your XP machine a fresh new look you should check out the new Vista Transformation Pack 6!

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