This is it! Microsoft has made available for download the first public version of Windows XP Service Pack 3. Having already dropped release candidate versions for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 this month, the Redmond company lived up to its latest trend, the synchronization of the major update milestones for its Windows client and server operating system. This is the first official beta build of XP SP3, and is accessible to all Windows XP users. However, you have to be advised that Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate is still in beta stage, and as such, it should only be deployed in testing environments, and not used on productions machines.

The Standalone Update Package for XP SP3 RC can be grabbed as windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu.exe. The executable file weights in at 336.1 MB, contains build 3264, and is offered via the Microsoft Download Center. Earlier this month, Microsoft dropped Windows XP SP3 RC1 Build 3244 also through the Download Center. Windows users that have deployed a previous testing milestone of XP SP3 will have to uninstall it, before applying XP SP3 Build 3264. All those interested in getting their hands on a the near-final version of Windows XP Service Pack 3 can download Build 3264 via this link right here on Softpedia.

"This is the self-extracting executable that contains the update package for Windows XP Service Pack 3. Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers' experience with the operating system. This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you have a backup of your data prior to installing any pre-release software", reads Microsoft's overview of the XP SP3 download.