Windows XP SP3 Now on "Tuesday Update" Shall I Download it, or Wait?

[engine]

Booting some of my machines today I noticed the update alert indicated XP SP3 is ready for download.

Will you be updating today, or waiting a while to ensure there are no further incompatibilities?

[Receptional Andy]

Interesting: I haven't seen these notifications yet. I won't be upgrading yet though - certainly not on any PCs that I definitely need to work properly ;)

[Robert Charlton]

Will you be updating today, or waiting a while to ensure there are no further incompatibilities?

I always wait.

[bill]

I got the updates yesterday and updated one machine. So far I haven't had any troubles, but I also don't notice any performance improvements.

It's always a good idea to let other people be the guinea-pigs when a major service pack comes out. You never know what will be affected. SP3 isn't a major update like SP2 was. If you've kept up with security patches you're not missing much with this update.

[engine]

Within hours of its release, Microsoft's Service Pack 3 for Windows XP began drawing hundreds of complaints from users who claim the update is wreaking havoc on their PCs.
The problems with XP SP3, according to posters on Microsoft's Windows XP message board, range from spontaneous reboots to outright system crashes.

Windows XP SP3 Now on "Tuesday Update" Shall I Download it, or Wait? [informationweek.com]

I fired up a non-important machine on XP SP2 and the process went smoothly. No apparent issues, but the machine is not used in anger very much. Perhaps, not the best test.

Obviously, back up before you do update.

[sem4u]

Microsoft's service pack three (SP3) for Windows XP has caused havoc on hundreds of PCs, just hours after it was released as an automatic update.

Angry customers have vented their spleen on the firm's Windows XP message board, posting complaints that include spontaneous PC reboots and system crashes after the service pack installs.

[theregister.co.uk...]

[Demaestro]

Have had installed on a box here for almost 24 hours and no issues... I ran a bunch of apps this morning... Account stuff.. printers all work... everything seems good.

I am not giving the all clear but so far so good.