The 64-bit version of Windows XP will not be getting Service Pack 3 by mid 2008. The third and final service pack for Windows XP will be made available exclusively for the 32-bit versions of the operating system.

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition was released on April 2005, while the x86 variant of the platform dropped in 2001, with SP2 following in August 2004. Just the fact that the 64-bit version was made available after SP2 for the 32-bit XP meant that Microsoft only launched SP2 for XP Professional x64 and Windows Server 2003 all the way in 2007. In fact, Windows Server 2003 SP2 services not only Windows Server 2003, but also Windows XP Professional x64.

Now, Microsoft is also delivering the Administration Tools Pack enabling users to remotely administer machines running XP and Windows Server 2003, as well as Windows 2000. "The Administration Tools Pack allows administrators to install the Windows Server 2003 SP2 management tools onto a computer running Windows XP Professional or a Windows Server 2003 family operating system to perform remote server management functions. This is the final version of the Administration Tools Pack; you must uninstall all previous versions before installing this version," reads an excerpt of the overview of the tool.

Although the tool will install on all the editions of Windows Server 2003 as well as XP Professional x64 and x86, users will only be able to remotely manage Windows Server 2003. I'll admit that, in this context, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Administration Tools Pack fails to fill the gap left by the absence of SP3, but since users of x64 XP have already had the chance to play with Windows Server 2003 last year, I am sure that they will welcome the breather. Especially system administrators.

"Install and use graphical administrative tools that are packaged in the Administration Tools Pack to remotely administer computers that are running Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000. Where interoperability problems exist between operating systems, perform administrative tasks on the console of the target computer or on a computer that is running the same operating system as the computer that is being remotely administered," Microsoft added.

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Administration Tools Pack for x86 editions and x64 editions is available for download here.