News has been lurking around the IT community about the release of a reliable test result on Windows XP SP3 which could further extend the lifespan of Vista’s predecessor. XP users will definitely be elated by the report since that would mean a few years more of mileage for their aging, but still reliable, operating system.

Many are still wondering why Microsoft is still constantly changing the oxygen tank of its most successful OS. Indeed, giving XP more than nine lives would certainly scratch Vista’s chances of dominating the OS market by 2008. Instead of competing with Mac’s OS X, Vista is in a precarious situation wherein it finds itself competing with another product that comes from its own creator.

The reputation of Vista as a very demanding OS is deterring millions of PC users from overwriting their old operating system with Microsoft’s new one. This should serve as a lesson for Redmond and Mac to make sure that their next OS would not unduly tax even entry-level processors.

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What is it about Microsoft and leaks?

NeoSmart Technologies has recently revealed that Windows XP’s third service pack will be featuring patches and updates that are primarily designed for Vista. The leak has fueled speculations that Microsoft is indeed bent on extending the life of its most successful OS by incorporating Vista technology into it.

Among the handful of Vista features inserted in SP3 include Network Access Protection (NAP). This security component functions as a filter, checking client PCs before they’re allowed to connect with other computers in a network.

Another Vista feature that will be incorporated in XP through SP3 is a new activation procedure that dispenses with tedious checkpoints and would allow users to immediately use or install the product without being asked for the activation key.

Windows XP SP3 will be made available by early next year. The new service pack brings a sigh of relief to millions of PC users who still haven’t shifted to the new OS as this would ensure the viability of the software for a few more years.

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Much has been said about the impending demise of Windows XP in view of the release of Microsoft’s latest operating system. The company expects the exodus to be gradual and voluntary, citing the eagerness of PC users to try something new.

However, the hovering speculation is that many will be shifting to Windows Vista because they will be forced to. Some say that XP’s years are already numbered. Microsoft is expected to pull the life support system on its old OS in the next 2 years, leaving the remaining XP users to fend for themselves against malware attacks and other security risks.

But there’s no need to sound the alarm, yet. In fact, Microsoft seems bent on extending the shelf life of XP by planning to release another service pack for it. There’s no definite detail yet as far as SP3’s contents are concerned. It won’t be released anytime soon, too. Some say that the third major batch of updates will be issued in the first half of 2008.

Microsoft will be shooting its own foot if it hastens the demise of its most successful product. Many are not yet convinced that their system is ready for the new OS. Some are even of the opinion that Vista is the one that’s actually not ready for their computers. For now, I suggest that you stick with your OS until you’re fully convinced that it has already outlived its usefulness.

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