What do you want to see in SP3?

Windows XP SP3 is rumored to be out sometime in 2008. What would you like to see be included in it? What do you think Microsoft is capable of?

I personally would like to see a couple of things...

Updated Luna / Royale themes
Change the way XP uses Video resources. AFAIK, Vista relies solely on the video card for it's theming. XP, on the other hand, uses RAM. I think this should be changed. (Please correct me, nicely, if I'm wrong.)
Start Menu Search - This was key to me in Vista, and since going back to XP I really miss it. It was one of the most useful things I've used in the new OS.
Update Outlook Express to Windows Mail. It just seems logical. Why stick with IE6 era software if the IE7 is available? Why not make it available for XP?

#478084

I've read on a German webpage that SP3 will mostly get security and performance updates, but no new features.

And I don't think that MS would put Vista-stuff into XP.

Regarding your start menu search: You can use ViStart for that: http://lee-soft.com/?p=32

#478090

Windows XP SP3 is rumored to be out sometime in 2008. What would you like to see be included in it? What do you think Microsoft is capable of?
I personally would like to see a couple of things...
Updated Luna / Royale themes
Change the way XP uses Video resources. AFAIK, Vista relies solely on the video card for it's theming. XP, on the other hand, uses RAM. I think this should be changed. (Please correct me, nicely, if I'm wrong.)
Start Menu Search - This was key to me in Vista, and since going back to XP I really miss it. It was one of the most useful things I've used in the new OS.
Update Outlook Express to Windows Mail. It just seems logical. Why stick with IE6 era software if the IE7 is available? Why not make it available for XP?

Service Packs were never ever meant to introduce (major) new features to a new OS. Windows XP Service Pack 2 was an anomaly. Service Pack 3 will be a return to the old ways.

Anyway, back to your wishlist:

1. Will not happen. What would be the point? Microsoft is busy pushing Vista sales. Anything new added to XP would divert customer attention away from Vista. Besides, there are thousands of themes available for XP (including Luna and Royale look-alikes)

2. This would require far too much effort than Microsoft is willing to put into XP at this point. XP is increasingly being relegated to the client of choice for users who do not currently own Vista-capable hardware.

3. Would be really nice to have this in XP (assuming that XP can run the same kind of searches that Vista can), but it won't happen since improved searching is being touted as one of Vista's major features.

4. I have never used Windows Mail but again I don't think this will happen. However, in either case, if Microsoft does plan on porting it back to XP, you can guarantee it won't be part of Service Pack 3.

#478112

Regarding Windows Mail. There's a Beta-version of Windows Live Mail for XP. You can use this one instead of Outlook. You can get it here: http://get.live.com/betas/home

#478282