Windows XP SP3 Final Version Is 5.1.2600.5573?
Microsoft released Windows XP SP3 RC2 Refresh which has a build version of 5.1.2600.5508. There are a lot of speculations and discussions on whether this RC test version is indeed will be released to manufacturing (RTM) to become the final release version for Windows Vista SP3, much like what happened to Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2 (6001.18000) was directly turned into final build for Windows Vista SP1.
However, a sharp eye Windows XP enthusiast has pointed out that the final build version number for Windows XP SP3 is probably 5.1.2600.5573 when SP3 is released, based on file version information that Microsoft published on a Knowledge Based article.

As shown in the figure above, which is from KB951126 which address problems on multiprocessor computer running Windows Vista or Windows XP stops responding on a black screen after resuming from hibernation, the Windows XP user strongly believe that the final build version for Windows XP SP3 is 5.1.2600.5573.
However, taking a look the the build version for the files for Windows XP SP2, it’s 5.1.2600.3344, and not supposedly 5.1.2600.2180 which is the exact version for Windows XP SP2 when it’s released. So, in this case, it may be Microsoft increases the build version for these affected system files higher than the service pack version to reflect the update on the files been done after the service pack is finalized.
Based on such assumption, if 5.1.2600.5508 is indeed not a RTM ‘release candidate’, then it’s highly likely then build version of Windows XP SP3 final release will be between 5.1.2600.5508 and 5.1.2600.5573.
Update: Windows XP SP3 has build number 5512, making its version 5.1.2600.5512.
Related Articles
- Windows XP SP3 Finale Version 5.1 Build 5512 RTM
- How to Uninstall Windows XP SP3 Beta and Release Candiate Versions
- Updated Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) RTM Release Schedule
- Windows XP SP3 Official Final Release Schedule in April 2008
- Windows XP Service Pack 3 Final Build 5512 Distribution by Channel Schedule Timeline
- Windows XP SP3 Released to MSDN and TechNet at Top Subscribers Downloads
- Windows XP SP3 (KB936929) v5.1.2600.5512 RTM English Stanadalone Installer Leaked Download (HTTP and BT Torrent)
- Download Official Windows XP SP3 RC2 Refresh Build 5508 (with Link to Standalone EXE)
- IE7 Installation Did Not Complete or Fail in Windows XP SP3
- Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1 Release to Web (RTW) Delay

































April 17th, 2008 16:31
[...] version discussed does not imply a specific Windows XP SP3 version number.” Windows XP SP3 is rumored to have final build 5573 as it’s referenced by KB951126 which addresses issue of a multiprocessor computer that is [...]
April 22nd, 2008 12:45
[...] Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) final version has been packed, published, and released to manufacturing on April 21, 2008 US time. However, only Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM channel) will have access to the code bits of Windows XP SP3, while general public can starts download from April 29 onwards. Windows XP SP3 has final version of 5.1 and build number 5512 (5.1.2600.5512), a little higher than Windows XP RC2 Refresh (v.5508), but not the speculated build 5573. [...]