14 DAY TRIAL // Back in November 24 2006, I wrote an article about Windows XP Pro Service Pack 3 Build 2. This article was meant as a mock piece in search of a few good laughs. The only purpose it serves is to raise your awareness about the fact that pirated copies of Windows are available for download or for sale masqueraded as Windows XP Service Pack 3. The fact of the matter is that Microsoft has not yet released the third service pack for Windows XP, and won't do so until 2008.
It is this author's opinion that downloading, purchasing, installing or otherwise handling material that claims to be Windows XP SP3 will expose you to a range of unnecessary risks from getting infecting with malware, to losing your money and private data and to the legal issues associated with deploying pirated materials.
Just take a look at what the Windows XP Pro Service Pack 3 Build 2 contains: Office 2003 SP2 With Frontpage, Firefox 1.5, quick time alternative 1.67, Adobe Reader 7.05, also included Microsoft Office 2003 Professional SP 2 etc. Yes indeed... just your average Windows release...
Today, I have received an email from the Amit the person that claims to have created Windows XP Pro Service Pack 3 Build 2. Amit says that the copy is indeed pirated, and that as such, he understands why we are not supporting it. And while we are on the subject...
Softpedia does not support any examples of piracy, and will under no circumstances provide you with a link, or the source of the pirated materials that may be the subject of the news.
Amit additionally states that Windows XP Pro Service Pack 3 Build 2 was created for a limited number of users and that he has no control over its spreading. He also states that he is seeking no financial benefits from this release. However, he does state that this was not an isolated incident and that he has authored a total of 5 different versions of Windows XP SP3.
Amit also emphasizes the fact that he apparently has not included any malware in the mix. No matter what the truth, the fact of the matter is that Amit has admitted that he has no control over how this spreads, and if he didn't add malware, others certainly did. Here is Amit's complete email (the syntax is that of the author):
"> hello softpedia operator, > > i m amit....creator of so called Windows XP service Pack 3 build 2.. which u > had posted few months ago... > > well...many ppl askin me abt downloading link after u had posted this > article....but this is a pirated version ( pirated caz i have included a key > within it ..otherwise its an OEM ..u can say so ) ...u did good as closed tht > topic and told ppl tht this is pirated version and u r not supporting it...its > a good.....2nd thing...i m not selling copies of this so called sp3...i made > it abt 1.5 years ago for fun and for my forum members only....but pirated > communities spreaded it everywhere....anyways....its ok u do not support this > kinda piracy..but atleast dont blaim on me tht this is a HACKED version and > ther are any kinda spywares or trojans..etc included!! NO...there isnt > anything like this....i have made this using power of Windows > Deployment....everyone can make it if they know how to do it? there arent any > spywares or trojans included....its just a clean copy of xp sp2 with added > features......i have written this msg just for viewers excitement abt > sp3...there is not sp3 ca > me out yet....i just given this name to my build caz when i made this > version...i have included unofficial sp3 hotfixes preview pack....i have made > 5 diff. versions of sp3 later of this...this email is just to let viewers that > dont buy any copies of sp3 from anywhere....and plz dont blaim me abt this > ...caz i m not selling it directly or via any persons....i m not getting paid > for this...this is just for fun... > > Regards > AMIT_TALKIN"