Microsoft puts XP update on back burner

While Windows Vista is nearing completion, Microsoft has delayed the next service pack update for its predecessor, Windows XP.

This week, Microsoft updated its lifecycle website to note that the introduction of Service Pack 3 - the next XP update - has been pushed back until the first half of 2008.

Service Pack 3 has had its schedule altered a few times, amid delays to Windows Vista. Most recently, Microsoft said in January that people should expect to see SP3 in the second half of 2007.

Microsoft officials in France had earlier said the service pack could arrive late this year but that was when Vista was set to debut earlier as well.

The last service pack for XP - Service Pack 2 - included a greater than usual number of changes, particularly around security, and debuted in August 2004.

The change was noted earlier by Microsoft enthusiast site Neowin.net.

Microsoft is just now finishing up development on Vista, with the new operating system scheduled to go to large businesses next month and to launch more broadly in January.

Ina Fried writes for CNET News.com