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Download Windows XP SP3 with a registry hack
Last month we told you that it was possible to download Windows Vista SP1 by altering your Windows registry settings. Now it looks like a new registry hack is making the rounds. This one will let Windows XP users download Service Pack 3 for Microsoft's older, but generally more stable operating system.Both the Vista and XP service packs aren't scheduled for wide release until early next year. In other words, downloading a pre-release copy might really not be the best idea. Sure, it'd be nice to grab a software update intended to improve your system's reliability and security. But since these updates are still in beta testing, you could wind up causing more problems than you solve.
That said, it looks like the registry hack is pretty straightforward. Just download a patch, look for Windows Updates, download them and reboot your computer into glorious SP3 bliss. And by bliss, we mean a few new features like a new Windows Product Activation module, a Network Access Protection module (ported from Vista), and cryptographic algorithm support in the kernel. We know, it all sounds so glamorous.
Comments
17
Subscribe to commentsInfonoteJan 26th 2008 9:00AM
Does this hack work for the new XP3 Build?
I have been using XPSP3 for a while now without any problems.
Thanks.
rohitFeb 7th 2008 7:06AM
Can I Download Windows XP SP3
brianNov 23rd 2007 4:22PM
you spelled Windows in the title wrong and you missed the "a" out of Vista on the 11th line.
MarkNov 23rd 2007 8:14PM
Shouldn't that have been "spelt" not "spelled" ?
An' teh staart ov the centunce should have been a capitul shorely?
xxdesmusNov 23rd 2007 8:15PM
They VERY specifically mentioned to all beta testers NOT to leak this registry tweak out. Sometimes the stupidity of people still amazes me. This isn't a public release for a reason.
skimNov 23rd 2007 8:15PM
>>2. Shouldn't that have been "spelt" not "spelled" ?
"Spelled" is correct.
Dr RumbleNov 24th 2007 5:04PM
As much as I think it's terrible English, answers.com lists "spelt" as "A past tense and a past participle of spell." "Spelt" does show up with that glaring red line under the Firefox spell checker however.
Oh, and (K,X)Ubuntu 4-EVA.
michaelNov 24th 2007 5:04PM
"I spelt this wrong"
I too get the red underline by the IE7 Pro spell checker.
Besides, 'spelled' sounds completely all right.
ArghhNov 24th 2007 5:07PM
One more off-topic comment:
spell
verb (past and past participle spelled or chiefly Brit. spelt)
(...)
(Concise Oxford English Dictionary)
bruceSNov 24th 2007 5:07PM
Spelling shenanigans aside, downloading a service pack this far in advance of the release seems like a really bad idea. REALLY BAD.
MarkNov 24th 2007 9:11PM
Spelt? That is not even a word. It's spelled.
jfjbNov 25th 2007 5:51PM
did you mean "smelled" ?
Sure smell weird, this announcement from the maker of a soon-to-be-forgotten OS version of the past millenium.
Or should I say Meal Hey Knee Ohm?
I stink, I know.
So does M$ Vist. A.
:-)
spellfairyNov 25th 2007 5:52PM
Actually spelt is a word but has nothing to do with spell. Spelt is a grain like wheat popular in Europe.
jfjbNov 26th 2007 9:44AM
well, well, well... doesn't this show the real interest people attach to the current subject of the matter, testing Windows XP SP3? :-))
briantwNov 26th 2007 6:15PM
You didn't start your sentence with a capital letter.
MayurDec 3rd 2007 11:33AM
Oh.
dragonJan 13th 2008 11:02PM
O.K. Is this a spelling competition, or a flame about sp3?
sp3 is a small cummulative update for the XP operating system. As a few people have pointed out, the sp3 is really in a beta state and should only be expected to work like any other microsoft product. since XP is finally ready to be released and in good Microsoft fasion they have made it an O.K. Operating system right at the end of it's life. A rush to get an extra set of security flaws is a bit of a waste of time. If anyone wants to have a moan about my spelling carry on, as I can't spell for S**T. L8rz PPL. :)