Microsoft has released, as planned, the Service Pack 3 for its successful Windows XP operating system. The patch is only available for the 32-bit version of XP, as the x64 version uses a different codebase, that of Windows Server 2003.

The XP SP3 is packed with 1,073 fixes which resolve bugs detected since the original release of the operating system. However, Internet Explorer 7 is not included in the download. Windows XP SP3 hit RTM on April 21, 2008 with build number 5512. It is available right now on Windows Update and the standalone download will be shortly uploaded on Microsoft Download Center. It is already on MSDN.

Microsoft is not adding significant Windows Vista functionality to Windows XP through SP3. However, SP3 does include Network Access Protection (NAP) to help organizations to work with the new features of the Windows Server 2008 operating system. Microsoft has back-ported four Vista features to XP: Network Access Protection, Black Hole Router detection, Microsoft Kernel Cryptographic Module and the Product Activation module which allows users to install XP without entering a product key at installation.

NAP is a policy enforcement platform built into Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and with which a user can better protect network assets by enforcing compliance with system health requirements. Using NAP, the users can create customized health policies to validate computer health before allowing access or communication and automatically update compliant computers to ensure ongoing compliance.

Windows XP SP3 is cumulative, so users can install SP3 on top of Windows XP SP1 or SP2 and supports the same languages as Windows XP did in its initial release. The update also enhances performance, with reports putting the speed boost to around 8 to 10 percent.

Microsoft has no plans to extend the availability of its successful Windows XP operating system past its June 30 deadline. The Redmond-based company has announced that starting June 30 will stop selling Windows XP to computer makers and retailers. However, the company will offer technical support until April 2009 and extended support until April 2014.

However, due to high demand from their clients, Dell, Lenovo and HP have decided to continue to offer Windows XP on the new computers past the deadline. Dell was the first to find a loophole in Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate licenses. According to Dell’s website, the both editions of Windows Vista have “Downgrade Rights”. This means anyone who owns Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate operating system can downgrade to Windows XP Professional.