Microsoft delayed Windows XP SP3 until 2008

Microsoft has announced that it will delay the launch of the Windows XP SP3 upgrade until the first half of 2008, replacing the plan in the second half of 2007 as before.

The deferral decision is similar for Windows Server 2003 SP2. Previously, this upgrade is expected to be released later this year, however, the SP2 version will be delayed by early next year.

Windows XP SP3 will be the first major upgrade since the release of XP SP2 in August 2004. SP2 is considered a comprehensive upgrade, bringing a new "face" to security, improvements to wireless networking features and IE. Meanwhile, SP3 will only focus on security patches and bug fixes rather than upgrading the functionality for Windows XP operating system.

Some analysts believe that Microsoft's new move to force customers to upgrade to Windows Vista - is expected to be available early next year. However, the majority of the changes that Windows XP SP3 brings will be transmitted in separate security updates before 2008.