Windows SP3

[Horace]

I've used XP Pro w/SP2 for a couple of years with zero problems.
Is there any VALID reason to install SP3 ? MTIA

 

[Kayman]

I've used XP Pro w/SP2 for a couple of years with zero problems.
Is there any VALID reason to install SP3 ? MTIA

Future updates/patches may not download/install without SP3.

 

[Bill in Co.]

I've used XP Pro w/SP2 for a couple of years with zero problems.
Is there any VALID reason to install SP3 ? MTIA

Nope.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Future updates/patches may not download/install without SP3.

Which aren't necessary, however.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I've used XP Pro w/SP2 for a couple of years with zero problems.
Is there any VALID reason to install SP3 ? MTIA

No one can tell you that with authority other than you.

Perhaps - someday you might need a patch that requires that you have SP3
installed in order to install it. Or even some software that only runs on
Windows XP SP3 or greater. *At this time* (of me posting this message) - I
would be in no rush (as a regular user) to install SP3 - as they are
unlikely to get much of anything out of it overall.

 

[Unknown]

Don't you want to stay current?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I've used XP Pro w/SP2 for a couple of years with zero problems.
Is there any VALID reason to install SP3 ? MTIA

Bear in mind that a service pack is primarily just a rollup of all the
hotfixes that been issued since the last one. Sometimes there are some
additional fixes added to it.

So if you've been staying current with fixes as they've been issued,
you already have most of what's in SP3. If you don't install it, most
of what you'll miss are those extra few fixes that weren't issued
separately.

How important are those extra few fixes? I'm not sure, but I don't
particularly care. I believe in staying current with hotfixes as they
are released and I'll install SP3 when it gets released.

By the way, another issue is that as time goes on, you may find that
newer fixes as well as other Microsoft or third-party software will
require SP3 as the platform to be installed on.

You ask "Is there any VALID reason to install SP3?" I look at it the
other way around. Is there any valid reason *not* to install it? My
answer is no. I have always installed service packs as they became
available, and I've never had a problem with one.

 

[Horace]

I've used XP Pro w/SP2 for a couple of years with zero problems.
Is there any VALID reason to install SP3 ? MTIA

Appreciate all of the responses I received. They seem to include a
wide spectrum of thought. Thanks, again

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Oh, it's foolproof. I didn't know that.

I didn't come close to suggesting anything like that. Nothing is
foolproof.

Thanks


Well, there sure have been a lot of people who have had problems with
them.

There are always people who have had problems with *anything*.
Nevertheless, the enormous majority of those who have installed any
service pack have had no problems as a result.

I think your advice in this case is reckless, particularly for an MVP.

Feel free to think whatever you want.

 

[Unknown]

Get facts on number of successful installs versus unsuccessful installs.
Then get the reasons of why the unsuccessful installs were unsuccessful
before saying advice was reckless.