Following its natural course of evolution, after being released to manufacturing on April 21, 2008, Windows XP Service Pack 3 began shipping to Microsoft's OEM partners, and subsequently to MSDN and TechNet subscribers. The standalone update package for Windows XP SP3, featuring all the languages supported by Vista's successor, can be accessed through the Top Downloads section on both MSDN and TechNet, according to Chris Keroack, Release Manager, Windows Serviceability. But, at the same time, Microsoft is working to make the slipstream (fully integrated) Windows XP SP3 RTM disks available for download.

"I noticed that Windows XP SP3 is now on the TechNet subscriber download area. To the best of my knowledge, the bits are being provided to TechNet and MSDN subscribers ahead of just about everyone else this time around. This is a direct result of your feedback during the Windows Vista SP1 rollout or lack thereof. For the moment it's the patch for existing systems. I'll see if I can find out when the fully integrated Windows XP disks might be posted," stated Keith Combs, Microsoft IT Pro Evangelist.

MSDN and TechNet subscribers, despite the general rule that their subscriptions provided access in advance to the latest releases from the Redmond company, were initially scheduled to receive the gold bits of XP SP3 after the general public, on May 2. In this context, Keroack informed that the slipstream version of XP SP3 would be offered to MSDN and TechNet subscribers in early May.

"As MSDN/TechNet subscribers, we highly value your feedback regarding Windows XP SP3 availability and one of our top priorities is responding to your requests for Windows XP SP3 bits as quickly as we can. Over the last few days, the team here worked with our bandwidth and system partners to come up with solutions to make Windows XP SP3 available to you as soon as possible. We still plan to begin rolling out the integrated build for Windows XP SP3 during the first week of May. We value your support and enthusiasm, and will continue to listen to your feedback as we deliver the MSDN Subscription service," Keroack promised.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 FINAL can be downloaded via this link.