Microsoft Kills Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) RTM Build 5512 Downloads

The long and frustrating wait for Windows XP Service Pack 3 just got longer and is also bound to get a tad more frustrating for end users. April 29, 2008 was supposed to mark the general availability date for the third and final service pack for Windows XP. This is not the case, as Microsoft has killed XP SP3 RTM downloads even before they made it to end users through the official channels. As a direct consequence, XP SP3 RTM Build 5512 has not gone live on Windows Update and the Download Center, and the Redmond company postponed availability to an unspecified date citing incompatibility issues.

"I wanted to update you on today's planned release to web (RTW) (of XP SP3). In the last few days, we have uncovered a compatibility issue between Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) and Windows XP SP3. In order to make sure customers have the best possible experience we have decided to delay releasing Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center," a Microsoft spokesperson revealed, according to Mary Jo Foley.

Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) is a retail-chain-management solution offered under the Dynamics brand umbrella. Because of the incompatibility problems discovered in the eleventh hour ahead of the general availability of the gold edition of XP SP3, end users will have to wait a little more for the service pack.

"To help protect our customers, we plan to put filtering in place shortly to prevent Windows Update from offering both service packs to systems running Microsoft Dynamics RMS. Once filtering is in place, we expect to release Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update and Download Center," the Microsoft spokesperson added.

The Redmond company has not informed of any changes affecting the users who have already got their hands on the final bits of XP SP3 RTM, such as the MSDN and TechNet subscribers. Microsoft only specified that a fix is in the works.

"Until we have published a fix for this issue, we advise Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers not to install either service pack. Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers running Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1 should contact Microsoft Customer Support Services for additional information. The fix is currently in testing and will be available as soon as that process is complete," the Microsoft spokesperson promised.

Meanwhile, Windows XP SP3 RTM Build 5512 is available for download here.