Microsoft Placates XP SP3, Vista SP1 Hunger

Microsoft on Wednesday quieted the angst of two separate groups of service pack hungry users by releasing Windows XP SP3 to MSDN and TechNet subscribers and beginning automatic distribution of Windows Vista SP1.

Microsoft's decision earlier this week to delay the release of XP SP3 to MSDN and TechNet until May 2, three days after its April 29 target for public distribution, caused much gnashing of teeth among paying subscribers. Many found it particularly galling that Microsoft cited high demand for Vista SP1 as its reason for delaying XP SP3.

However, in a Wednesday post to Microsoft's TechNet forums, Chris Keroack, Windows XP SP3 release manager announced that Microsoft, with the help of unnamed partners, has managed to overcome the delay and is now offering XP SP3 to MSDN and TechNet subscribers.

"Over the last few days, the team here worked with our bandwidth and system partners to come up with solutions to make Windows XP SP3 available to you as soon as possible," Keroack wrote.

Microsoft still plans to begin rolling out the integrated build for Windows XP SP3 during the first week of May, according to Keroack.

Microsoft Wednesday also made Vista SP1 available to users who've configured Windows Update and Microsoft Update to download updates automatically.

However, because Microsoft is distributing Vista SP1 in phases to "ensure a seamless download experience", some Vista users might not see the update download right away, a Microsoft spokesperson said in an email to ChannelWeb.