Pdigmking wrote:
> I've been automatically updating windows XP for years, I upgraded
> to SP2 when it came out. I'm reading about SP3 here and it's
> described as basically just a bundle of all the post SP2 updates
> with a couple extra features for networks. I have two questions. First:
> will my automatic update automatically download and
> attempt to install SP3? Second: Do I really need SP3? Frankly,
> since the change to XP I've never noticed any differnce in
> performance associated with any of these updates, and my machines
> are working just fine. I don't rely on Windows software for
> security, and I don't use windows software for internet functions,
> e-mail, browsing, etc. If I pass on SP3, will I be able to get
> future updatas?

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Craig wrote:
> Like you, I've been up-to-date with the past Windows Updates.
> Still, SP3 had about 70MB to download (at least that's better than
> the full SP3 standalone file of something like 500-600 MB) and
> install.

No. Full SP3 downloaded size is 331,808,768 bytes.

> I'm not sure about the automatic Windows Update but expect it may
> do that, given enough time. Unless/Until you hear differently, if
> you don't want SP3, you might want to be safe and turn off Auto
> Windows Update and proceed with Windows Update manually where you
> can choose to accept or ignore SP3. But unless you have a specific
> reason to fear doing the upgrade, you may just want to go ahead and
> become a SP3 user.
> Contrary to what I had been told earlier, I'm pretty sure that SP3
> will install .NET Framework Version 2 and 3 (or is it 3.5?),
> complete with their service packs. It doesn't install .NET 1.1 and
> I'm unsure if it would update a PC's version 1.1 if found on a PC.

SP3 contains no .NET Frameworks or updates - nor does it require any that I
have found. There are many people out there without any .NET Frameworks -
1.1, 2.0. 30. or 3.5 (non-cumulative.)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html