Boston (eCanadaNow) - Microsoft has come out and stated that Windows XP SP3 is just about ready for release.

Microsoft stated on Monday that they have finished work on the third and final service pack for Windows XP and will make the download available to the public on April 29.

SP3 includes all past updates since Windows XP Service Pack 2, which was released back in 2004.

Microsoft stated via a company blog that "Windows XP SP3 bits are now working their way through our manufacturing channels to be available to OEM and Enterprise customers."

The service pack will give many upgrades to the OS.

A new feature called Network Access Protection, coming from Windows Vista, will be added, as well as improved black hole router detection.

This bulks up XP quite a bit, giving users even more reason to not want to upgrade to Windows Vista.