Windows XP to get another upgrade

Microsoft has revealed plans to release a third service pack for Windows XP.

"There will be a Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP," Bernard Ourghanlian, technical and security director at Microsoft France, confirmed, revealing that Microsoft's operating systme is set for another major evolution.

Windows XP's Service Pack 2, which came out in September 2004, has already deeply modified the operating system and updated its security.

Windows XP SP3 will be available in the course of next year, after the launch of Windows Vista, which "is the priority for the development teams", according to Microsoft France.

Microsoft has yet to reveal any details about the contents of the service pack. Laurent Delaporte, assistant MD at Microsoft France said: "Historically, certain functions of new versions of Windows are integrated in the service packs of previous versions."

It's therefore likely that some of the less significant features of Vista will make an appearance in Windows XP SP3.