After being released to manufacturing last week, SP3 for XP is now available as either a standalone installer (direct download link) or at Windows Update. PC Magazine has coverage of the new service pack, including launch details, a hands-on review, slideshows, and expert tips.   via osnews.com

Despite Microsoft's obvious focus on selling Windows Vista to its customers, it hasn't yet forgotten about all those people out there that still use Windows XP (personally, I use Windows XP MCE 2005). The company has confirmed it has finally 'released to manufacturing' the third service pack to Windows XP - 7 years after the operating system's original release.   via osnews.com   microsoft > http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPo...3&SiteID=17

Microsoft has finally pumped out Vista service pack one (SP1) in the remaining 31 languages as a manual download via its Windows Update site.   Swedish download > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=sv   Bulgarian download > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...4a-09146a0ba746   Danish download > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...4a-09146a0ba746

Microsoft plans to make a key Internet Explorer default change to thwart attackers trying to hack into its Web browser. The software maker will enable DEP/NX by default in IE 8 when the browser is running on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, a major tweak aimed at mitigating browser-based vulnerabilities. DEP/NX (Data Execution Prevention/No Execute) is already available in IE 7, but it's turned off by default because of compatibility issues.   via osnews.com

via > engadget

After months of development Windows Vista SP1 is finally available for download     Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone (KB936330)     File Name: Windows6.0-KB936330-X86-wave0.exe Version: 936330 Knowledge Base (KB) Articles: KB936330 Date Published: 3/18/2008 Language: English Download Size: 434.5 MB

Microsoft has admitted that SP1 for its Ultimate edition of Windows Vista will not be made available to everyone in mid-March as originally planned, because of a delay with 31 of its language packs. Vista product manager Nick White said in a blog post yesterday that Microsoft will now ship Vista Ultimate SP1 in two 'waves', with the second one coming 'later in 2008'. Customers running the 'premium' version of the operating system on their computers in English, French, German, Japanese and Spanis

Microsoft has released the first beta release of Internet Explorer 8 just a few moments ago. "Download Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 and put the web at your service for you and your customers. This beta is aimed at web developers and designers to help them take advantage of new features in Internet Explorer 8 that will enhance their websites. Download the beta version of Internet Explorer 8. Internet Explorer 8 is currently available in English and will soon be available in German and Simplified Ch