Windows XP 'Unofficial Service Pack 4' brings updates to Microsoft's obsolete OS

[Petrovic]

Content source

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-xp-unofficial-service-pack-4-brings-updates-to-microsofts-obsolete-os

Back in April, Microsoft finally pulled the plug on Windows XP, bringing an end to its support for the elderly OS. The company has since issued critical patches for XP - including one to address issues that prevented PCs from booting up, and a security patch for IE - but it has also stressed that these are the exceptions rather than the rule, and that routine support for the OS is no longer provided.

With around 25% of PCs still running Windows XP, that's a big issue for the millions of users whose systems are no longer receiving regular updates. It's a problem that a developer known as 'harkaz' is addressing, with the upcoming release of what he calls 'Unofficial Service Pack 4'.

harkaz has been working since September 2013 on the project, which aims to bring together all of Microsoft's official XP updates and patches into a single unified release. It is already available in its third beta but, as ZDNet reports, a Release Candidate will soon be available, ahead of its full release.

"Many users - including me - who won't be able to upgrade their old machines to a new OS would like to easily install all Windows updates in one convenient package," harkaz said. "For this reason, I started working on a Service Pack 4 package."

In a forum post, harkaz explained that Unofficial SP4 is "a cumulative update rollup for Windows XP (x86). It can be applied to a live Windows XP system with SP1, at minimum, installed or it can be slipstreamed (integrated) in any Windows XP installation media." The package includes:

• Most Windows XP components, including Media Center Edition and Tablet PC
• Request-only hotfixes
• .NET Frameworks 4.0, 3.5, 1.1 and 1.0 (Tablet PC only)
• All post-end-of-life updates for .NET Framework 1.1, 3.5 and 4.0 up to May 2014
• Ability to scan for new updates (using the Windows Embedded POSReady 'trick', whichMicrosoft advised against using)

Needless to say, Microsoft won't be supporting Unofficial Service Pack 4 in any capacity, and users who choose to install it on their systems will be doing so at their own risk. We've seen many times before how even small glitches can create huge problems when installing Windows updates and patches - sometimes requiring Microsoft to temporarily pull them to investigate the issues further.

This is not the first example of the developer community pulling together Microsoft updates into a collective package, and it probably won't be the last. The lack of Microsoft support for Windows XP means that many users - especially those who cannot afford to buy newer systems - are turning to unofficial sources to get the support that they need to keep their PCs running.

In ending its support for Windows XP, Microsoft may have unintentionally created a 'black market' for free software that may potentially expose users to greater risk.

 

[Chromatinfish 123]

In ending its support for Windows XP, Microsoft may have unintentionally created a 'black market' for free software that may potentially expose users to greater risk.

Now to the main part of the story:

Microsoft really should have either discontinued Vista and focused more on XP, 7, and 8, or offered free licenses for Windows 8 or something like that to XP users so they would be happy.

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Petrovic, this is a fascinating turn of events as we feel the effects of a vacuum left (as when a storm has ceased) in the wake of XP's demise. Thank you for sharing the article.

Now to the main part of the story:

Microsoft really should have either discontinued Vista and focused more on XP, 7, and 8, or offered free licenses for Windows 8 or something like that to XP users so they would be happy.

I agree with you, Chromatinfish . Too bad you weren't our official Chro-macrosoft-fish whom could have executed such a forward thinking plan as this, and in turn solidified customer loyalty into the coming years!!

 

[nissimezra]

Now to the main part of the story:

Microsoft really should have either discontinued Vista and focused more on XP, 7, and 8, or offered free licenses for Windows 8 or something like that to XP users so they would be happy.

good idea, but i like vista, good idea to discontinue win 8 8.1

 

[RƎDSPYGENTLEMEN]

good idea, but i like vista, good idea to discontinue win 8 8.1

I can't say that a lot of people liked vista.

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

I can't say that a lot of people liked vista.

One of my favorite scenes from the TV show, "The Big Bang Theory", followed Dr. Sheldon Cooper with his friends whom all agreed they liked Windows 7 better while Sheldon responds,

"I preferred Vista."

When asked, "How can you like Vista more than Windows 7???",

Sheldon states (matter-of-factly), "Windows 7 is too user friendly.".

 

[Kate_L]

people now love W7 if microsoft doesn't make a free OS people will not change.

 

[JAMESWT]

I think slipstream and fresh installation is best solution
Windows xp for fun boy me too... But quadcore, 4 or more gb ram and.... Are not use 100 from xp. Windows 7 or 8.1 with classic interface and all apps uninstalled.. Are better.
Dual core and 4 gb of ram are cheep today...

 

[nissimezra]

I can't say that a lot of people liked vista.

it's the same as 7, try sp2 you won't find a different.
vista came before the hardware was ready for it, most of vista shipped with 1gig of ram which isn't enough. even 7 with 1gig will be slow. it is very easy to pass the 1gig these days