Windows 2000 SP3 Released to Web

Microsoft on Tuesday posted the final version of Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, a much anticipated update that entered beta testing last November. Although Premier Customers were given first access to download the release, links to SP3 quickly began circulating the Web. Microsoft will make SP3 available to the public Thursday via Windows Update, as well as on CD.

"SP3 is a well-tested collection of updates that focuses on a variety of customer-reported concerns with the Windows 2000 family of operating systems," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews Tuesday afternoon.

Service Pack 3 includes a slew of fixes and minor feature updates, along with support for automatic upgrades. With SP3, network administrators can set Windows 2000 to automatically download or schedule updates to the operating system.

"In many ways, SP3 is a traditional service pack in that it includes enhancements to improve upon Windows 2000's reliability, compatibility and security. In addition, Microsoft is fulfilling its commitment to implement the changes required by the consent decree signed with the DoJ and nine settling states," said the spokesperson.

The full Service Pack 3 network installation weighs in at 124MB and may be downloaded via FileForum. A smaller express installation will be available starting Thursday. The German language version of SP3 is also available, with more languages expected shortly.