Windows XP SP3 Build 3205 Released w/ New Features

jBubba writes "Windows XP SP3 build 3205 is the first official & authorized release of the next Windows XP service pack; and has been made available to testers as a part of the Windows Server 2008/Windows Vista SP1 beta program. NeoSmart Technologies has the run-down on the included 1,073 patches/hotfixes including security updates. Contrary to popular belief, Windows XP SP3 does ship with new features/components, most of which have been backported from Windows Vista. Some included features: 'New Windows Product Activation model: no need to enter product key during setup. Network Access Protection modules and policies have been brought to XP after being one of the more-well-received features in Windows Vista. New Microsoft Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module - the Windows XP SP3 kernel now includes an entire module that provides easy access to multiple cryptographic algorithms and is available for use in kernel-mode drivers and services. New "Black Hole Router" detection - Windows XP SP3 can detect and protect against rogue routers that are discarding data.'"

Elegant MS, really elegant

[rueger]

"Windows XP SP3 build 3205 ... has been made available to testers as a part of the ...Windows Vista SP1 beta program."

God, I love this company!

Re:question

[ahaning]

Please take a hint from your buddy [slashdot.org].

I would like to note something

[Daimanta]

The Windows Server 2008/Windows Vista SP1 beta program is not in charge of Gundam.

Re:Elegant MS, really elegant

[ScrewMaster]

God, I love this company!

Well, between you and Steve Ballmer, that's two.

And best feature of all!

[Chas]

"Are you SURE you wouldn't like to upgrade to Windows Vista?"

[Upgrade Now] [Upgrade RIGHT NOW] [FUBAR Existing System]

Re:Slashdotted

[thsths]

> Never mind. I should get on with work I suppose.

Work? Didn't you get the memo that Sunday is off?

Re:Windows Product Activation?

[Dunbal]

Why would I need to enter the product key? After all, it comes in a .txt file called "serial" on the installation CD...oops

Re:New features, backported from Vista ?

[realdodgeman]

It will make XP slower and it will feel more like Vista. So everybody will go "hey, now the difference is so small, I could just upgrade and get DX10 anyway".

Re:yeah

[Anonymous Coward]

They wont bother adding Vista features to XP as it'll stop even more users from upgrading.

The list of new XP features includes...

  . More annoying DRM so Vista seems less crippled in comparison.
  . New product activation that requires you to authenticate XP every 19 minutes.
  . Totally new bugs & incompatibilities. They can't make Vista stable so they're making XP less stable.
  . Slow-down code. Makes XP feel as sluggish as Vista would on a 486.
  . Auto Rabbit Removal. Balmer still hates them.
  . Uber-bloat. Better than previous bloat releases (except for Vista's) and now larger.
  . Incompatability Modules. This automatically corrupts/encrypts every 9th ODF file.

Re:I hate new features.

[RAMMS+EIN]

``Dell and others have pushed Microsoft into a position where they (OEM) are allowed to continue selling XP software beyond the originally intended dates set by Microsoft. This is the first time anyone ever successfully told Microsoft what to do, including the US Government (interestingly enough).''

In Soviet Russia, government controls commerce.

Re:How much Vista badness will we get?

[Anonymous Coward]

"I don't play games, music or movie"

You sound like the life of the party.

MOD PARENT UP!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

MOD PARENT UP!!!

Slow-down code. Makes XP feel as sluggish as Vista

Re:Elegant MS, really elegant

[ScrewMaster]

and Bill promised never to call him "Uncle Fester" in public. The rest, as they say, is history.

Can't argue with that, but personally I think Ballmer more resembles an evil Peter Boyle.

Re:Windows Product Activation?

[ultramkancool]

Nah, on most cracked CDs you don't even have to enter it cause they're slipstreamed... you also don't have to do any activation cracks because they're enterprise... oops :)

So, Vista is testing, and ...

[RandySC]

XP is old reliable stable? Then they backport from testing to stable?