Yes, you did read right! It's time to forget all about Windows XP Service Pack 3, as Microsoft is getting ready to launch Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2c. At this point in time, Microsoft informed that it has released Windows XP Professional SP 2c to manufacturing. The Redmond company is targeting a release date sometime in September 2007. Still, in contrast with Windows XP SP3 designed to update the complete XP family, Windows XP Professional SP 2c will not impact the following editions: Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP Professional 64-bit Edition.

The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of XP users will have to wait for the Service Pack 3 refresh, and this includes Windows XP Professional copies updated with SP 2c. The reason for this is simple, the SP2c release is addressed to system builders and not to end-users and is focused on resolving the shortage of Windows XP product keys.

"Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2c has released to manufacturing and will be available to system builders in September 2007. System builders who use imaging must create new Windows XP Professional images with Service Pack 2c when shipping Service Pack 2c product keys; otherwise end users will not be able to complete installation. Due to the longevity of Windows XP Professional, it has become necessary to produce more product keys for system builders in order to support the continued availability of Windows XP Professional through the scheduled system builder channel end-of-life (EOL) date of January 31, 2009," informed a member of the US System Builder Tech Team.

SP2c will only impact the 32-bit editions of Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Professional N, delivering an extended range of product keys. "There are no other features or fixes included in this service pack; it will only allow for the inclusion of additional product keys," Microsoft added. Windows XP will continue to be available via retail and OEM channels until January 31, 2008, and to System Builders until January 31, 2009.