This is it; the Windows XP Service Pack 3 grand finale is just around the corner. While the operating system is no longer for sale through retail and OEM channels as of June 30, 2008, Microsoft continues to be committed to offering support for the platform. With Mainstream Support planned to last until 2009, and Extended support until 2014, SP3 is the last service pack release designed for the 32-bit editions of XP. And Microsoft is approaching the last phase in the delivery of XP SP3, namely the availability through Automatic Updates. Nick MacKechnie, Senior Technical Account Manager at Microsoft New Zealand, indicated that that Redmond company is gearing up to start serving XP SP3 via AU "shortly".

"Microsoft is committed to providing quality products to customers. As part of this commitment, we would like to remind you that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) will be released to Automatic Updates shortly. The third service pack to Windows XP includes the previously released updates and hotfixes to Windows XP, creating a new baseline for servicing," MacKechnie stated.

XP SP3 was released to manufacturing on May 6, 2008, a week later than the shipping date announced initially, which was April 29, because of an incompatibility problem with Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS). Still, on May 6, over two months ago, Windows XP SP3 RTM Build 5512 downloads were made available through Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center. In this manner, the Redmond giant has managed to offer the long overdue SP3 to XP users, but not until it dealt with Windows Vista Service Pack 1, which RTM'd on February 4, went live on WU and the Download Center on March 18, and on AU in May.

The distribution of SP3 through AU means that XP copies with Automatic Updates enabled and with a previous SP will receive the service pack straight from Microsoft. The integration of SP3 will be performed automatically. The best way to stop the automatic delivery and installation of the gold bits of SP3 is use the Windows Service Pack Blocker Kit. Until May 2009, the kit will block SP3 through AU, but only through AU. If the service pack is grabbed via WU or the Download Center, its deployment will not be blocked. After a year since the release of SP3, the Windows Service Pack Blocker Kit will no longer stop the delivery of SP3 from Automatic Update.

Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit can be downloaded from here.

- Windows XP Service Pack 3 stand-alone version is available for download here.
- Windows XP Service Pack 3 Checked Build Network Installation Package is available for download here.
- Windows XP Service Pack 3 CD Image is available for download here.