Windows XP SP3 Returns to the Web

On Tuesday, Microsoft re-released Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to Windows Update and via the Microsoft Download Center, a week after temporarily pulling the update due to a compatibility issue with Microsoft Dynamics RMS. A similar compatibility issue caused Microsoft to temporarily suspend Windows Update-based downloads of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) as well; that update is available again as well.

"Following last week's discovery of a compatibility issue between both Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1 and Microsoft Dynamics RMS, Microsoft created and deployed a filter on Windows Update that will not offer either service packs to Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers," a Microsoft representative told me. "A fix for this issue is currently in testing at Microsoft and with customers and we hope to make it publicly available this month. Until then, Microsoft is advising Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers to not install either service pack."

While stories of XP SP3 being "delayed" made the rounds last week, in reality the update was never pulled from Microsoft Downloads, and the download link I provided at the time was never deactivated. This week, however, Microsoft has provided a more detailed XP SP3 download page, with links to the standalone SP3 installer, a CD image file, and more.

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