WINDOWS XP SP4 (UNOFFICIAL) Mar 11Th 2016, 08:15 GMT

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WINDOWS XP SP4 (UNOFFICIAL) Mar 11th 2016, 08:15 GMT

An unofficial service pack for 32-bit editions of Windows XP, allowing users to benefit from the latest available updates for their computer

Microsoft has ended the official support for Windows XP for a while now, which means that there are no more official security updates for users of the XP operating system and technical support is not provided anymore. Thus, computers that are still stuck with this late OS version can become vulnerable to malicious attacks.

Windows XP SP4 Unofficial comes to the rescue, providing XP users with the latest official XP updates alongside up-to-date components up to May 2014, also including POSReady updates.

The package is compatible with 32-bit versions of Windows XP, with SP1 installed and it can be deployed on an installation media. Please be advised that this package is not released by Microsoft, who does not recommend computer users to install it.

The Windows XP SP4 Unofficial installer is dedicated to Windows XP users who are not able, cannot afford or do not want to migrate to a newer Windows edition. It provides a convenient and quick way to update system components, so as to increase the PC's security and remove possible vulnerabilities, although it does not guarantee complete protection.

The package integrates .NET framework versions from 1.0 to 4.0 (including DirectX for Managed code in .NET 3.5), MSXML40 SP3, Adobe Flash Player (updated until May 2014), Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player 11, XPS Viewer EP, IMAPIv2, Remote Desktop Connection Client 7.0, Windows Search 4.0, Windows Rights Management Client, Windows Installer 4.5, the QFECheck tool (which you can use to verify that the hotfixes were correctly installed) and November 2013 Revoked roots and Root certificates.

Furthermore, it encases the WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) technology to validate your OS license, Windows Feature Pack for Storage 1.0, as well as updates for exFat, DirectX 9.0c and WebDAV for Office 12 (Rosebud).

Please note that Windows XP SP4 Unofficial does not include Windows Powershell, which can be manually installed once .NET 3.5 is available on your system.

WINDOWS XP HOTFIX (UNOFFICIAL) Jul 7th 2014, 12:49 GMT

TheHotfix.net includes 270 hotfixes to ensure more stability, boost performance and improve the security of the Windows XP operating system

Windows XP Unofficial TheHotfix.net Pack is a Pre-SP3 hotfix collection provided by Microsoft yet not released to the general public until the launch of the 3rd Service Pack for Windows XP. As its creators clearly specify in its description, this particular pack is to be used at your own risk. While this may change some minds in the process, the enthusiasts are sure to give it a go anyway.

Plenty of advantages

Windows XP Unofficial TheHotfix.net Pack provides 270 hotfixes to ensure more stability, boost performance and improve the security of the Windows XP operating system. These impressive number is collected straight from Microsoft and they all are, as mentioned, the ones that you have to call the Redmond-based software company and get through their Support Center.

As the Latin proverb says, “Don't look a gift horse in the mouth,” so this collection can easily be regarded as a present. It's really up to anyone interested to spend time with it, installing and testing its hotfixes. The guys at TheHotfix.net recommend you not to use a bulk installer though, but installing them one-by-one with the necessary, not occasional restart.

Performance

The process may seem to last forever, but once you've done it and checked your system for stability, discussed it on the forum and created a list of the ones that you really need, your new-and-improved Windows XP will perform faster while being more secure. In the end, this is what any PC user demands of the operating system – to optimally make use of the provided hardware and to guarantee stability for as long as possible.

Bottom line

Finally, Windows XP Unofficial TheHotfix.net Pack is one comprehensive set of tools to work with. All you need is time, patience and the know-how. Time to try them out, patience when needed the most and the know-how to immediately fix any problem that might occur – even if this means a complete re-installation of the operating system. This collection can easily pass as a full “lunchbox” for the “hungry” users that are in need for the stability-performance-security trifecta.

WINDOWS XP SP 2 MAIN OFFICIAL (KB835935) Jul 4th 2014, 13:38 GMT

Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides an enhanced security infrastructure for offering protection against various types of viruses and malware

When the number of Windows patches reaches a certain cap, Microsoft releases a Service Pack to offer a hassle free installation for the most important of them. The service pack contains relevant enhancements, fixes or updates in a single installation pack, and is the preferred solution for system administrators updating multiple computers over the network.

Windows XP SP2 2180 RTM provides just that - a single installation of all important OS updates. The pack is quite large, but taking a look at the main fixes and improvements, you immediately know it is worth your while.

Security improvements

The service pack is mainly security-centered, containing a whole list of security improvements, all designed to increase the protection against viruses, malware or other types of attacks on your computer. Windows XP SP2 2180 RTM brings security related information to end users, helping them better understand the options they have to protect their computer.

One of the new features introduced by SP2 is the Security Center, a system protection management utility that allows users to quickly inspect and adjust the security settings of their antivirus, firewall and automatic system updates.

Windows Firewall

The new Windows Firewall is on by default and allows you to custom-configure open ports to balance the fact that it tags as trusted all workstations on the local subnet and it does not check the outbound traffic.

Moreover, it prevents system access while starting up and prompts you to enable or disable access to applications trying to use the network connection. That being said, you still have to take into consideration a third-party firewall to make up for the shortcomings of Windows Firewall.

Proactive protection

SP2 brings to the table what is called Proactive Protection. It recompiles many core system binaries with a new GS flag that helps fight the buffer overruns and significantly optimizes performance.

Actually, this is the reason the installation pack is this large. The new flag provides enhanced protection against memory-based attacks. Moreover, Microsoft Outlook Express, Internet Explorer and Windows Messenger are now equipped with malicious file detection as they are being opened, and pop-up blocking/management.

Enhanced media sharing functionality is added thanks to the improved Bluetooth and wireless support that lets you connect to a wide range of photo cameras, mobile phones, MP3 players, keyboards, mice or Palm and Pocket PC devices. The secured wireless network configuration is also a welcomed feature, enabling you to easily create WEP or WPA wireless networks.

Bottom line

All in all, Windows XP SP2 2180 RTM is a must have for all XP users out there that provides an enhanced security infrastructure for offering protection against various types of viruses.

WINDOWS XP SP 2 UPDATE OFFICIAL (KB884020) Sep 18th 2004, 18:50 GMT

A specialized update that comes in handy to all users who are still running Windows XP Service Pack 2 on their computer and want to improve its performance

Windows XP was launched in October 2001 and it became one of the most popular operating systems on a worldwide scale. Part of its success relied in its appealing interface, since it was different than the ones that had been available before its launch.

Another reason for its popularity was that the development teams at Microsoft were constantly working on improving its stability and solving its bugs, so as to ensure the user experience was not affected.

This is why Microsoft released no less than 3 service packs for this OS, while also encouraging all users to install all of them to benefit from increased security and stability.

In between these service packs, individual updates were also published, such as Update for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (KB884020) - it goes without saying that in order to install this update, one first needs to have SP2 on their computer, otherwise the installation fails.

The reason why this update was so important that it warranted a separate release was that it dealt with connection issues. More precisely, on some PCs, it affected the applications that connected to IP addresses from the loopback address range and it triggered an error message informing users that no connection can be established.

Once this update has been installed onto the target computer, it is recommended to reboot it to make sure all changes are applied successfully.

It also needs to be mentioned that support for Windows XP stopped in April 2014, so all users are advised to migrate to a newer one to prevent any potential security flaws that leave them vulnerable in front of malware attacks.

WINDOWS XP SP 3 OFFICIAL (KB936929) Sep 2nd 2008, 19:23 GMT

Microsoft periodically combines updates, fixes, and other improvements into a single package - Service Pack, with this third release for Windows XP

Microsoft develops updates, fixes, and other improvements that address issues reported by the company's customers and partners. To make it easier for customers to get these updates and enhancements, Microsoft periodically combines them into a single package, and makes that package available for all Windows customers.

These packages are called service packs", Microsoft revealed in the introduction of the Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3. With the Release Candidates of Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 heading to increased testing pools the past week, and with Microsoft cooking the first public build of the first refresh for its latest Windows client, the official overview for XP SP3 is the only crumb from the service pack fiesta over at the Redmond company. The Release Candidate of XP SP3 in a pre-final stage has already shipped to MSDN and TechNet subscribers.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers' experience with the operating system.

Note: Customers running Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) are advised to install a hotfix for a Microsoft Dynamics RMS issue prior to installing Windows XP SP3.

Windows XP Service Pack 3, Checked Build

DO NOT CLICK DOWNLOAD IF YOU ARE AN MSDN SUBSCRIBER SEARCHING FOR FULL DEBUGGING SYMBOLS FOR WINDOWS XP: A more appropriate download is now available to MSDN subscribers on the Microsoft Developer Network.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File

This file is a CD image file for users who wish to create an update CD for Windows XP Service Pack 3, for example for offline installation by administrators.

Note: Customers running Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) are advised to install a hotfix for a Microsoft Dynamics RMS issue prior to installing Windows XP SP3.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 MUI Pack Update

Install this package to get the Microsoft Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) Update for Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). The best way to ensure you get Windows XP Service Pack 3 is by turning on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP.