In an embarrassing turn of events, Microsoft has pulled off the distribution of
the long-awaited Windows XP Service Pack 3. The company explained in a
statement that the discovery of a compatibility issue between Service Pack 3 and
Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).
Microsoft said that Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is affected
as well and it temporarily halted its distribution.
In a statement released to the several media outlets and on
the TechNet forum, Microsoft say it is working on a solution to solve the problem.
The company intends to put in place a filtering system that will block the delivery
of the updates to the systems that are running Microsoft Dynamics Retail
Management System.
‘Once filtering is in place, we expect to release Windows XP
SP3 to the web,’ noted Chris Keroack, Release Manager at Microsoft.
Although it seems like the compatibility issue is affecting
only the clients that are running Microsoft Dynamics RMS, the company advised
all its customers to not install the Service Packs until a patch will be
issued.
Windows XP SP3 is the last update provided by Microsoft for
its Windows XP operating system, which will be discontinued on June 30, as the company
previously announced.
However, due to the high demand from the clients, several PC
makers (Dell, Lenovo, HP) are determined to selling computers with Windows XP
after this date.
If other computer makers will join this initiative, Microsoft
should consider to extend the availability of Windows XP.
Last week, during an event held in Belgium, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft
CEO, said that the company might consider continuing to sell Windows XP. Officially,
Microsoft denied any intention to do so.
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