Microsoft has wrapped up Windows XP SP3 since April 21, 2008, when the Redmond company released the service pack to manufacturing. However, only on May 6 did the documentation associated with the service pack go live. In this context, Knowledge Base article 936929 contains a list complete with links to all the resources that have accompanied XP SP3 to the market. XP SP3 RTM Build 5512 was made available for download to the general public on May 6, over a week past the initially planned delivery date on April 29.

"Release Date: May 6, 2008. Windows XP Service Pack 3 is a service pack that is cumulative back to the last currently-supported service pack. This means that Windows XP Service Pack 3 contains all the fixes that were included with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). If you have already installed Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), you do not have to install Windows XP SP2. You must have either Windows XP Service Pack 1a or Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed in order to install Windows XP Service Pack 3", reads an excerpt of the Release Notes made available with XP SP3 RTM.

First of all, Microsoft has published a list with all the problems that have survived the RTM date into the gold build of XP SP3. "These release notes address late-breaking issues and information about Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). Unless otherwise specified, these notes apply to all editions of Windows XP SP3", Microsoft stated going on to describe issues with Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1, the Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System, the Multilingual User Interface (MUI) Pack, Remote Desktop Connection, Visual Basic Scripting Edition and Windows XP Media Center Edition.

Microsoft continues by describing the necessary steps that need to be taken in order for end users to access Service Pack 3 for XP. In addition, the company has also set up a guideline of the actions needed before installing the final version of XP SP3, placing an emphasis on the hard disk space requirements for the service pack. Also, various programs such as ATI Catalyst - Unified Software Suite, XPize and Neat Receipts are enumerated among the solutions that have incompatibility problems with XP SP3. And last but not least, Microsoft pointed out an exhaustive list of all the issues fixed in the service pack.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Final is available for download here.