Well, it took Microsoft long enough, but Windows XP SP3 has finally been RTMed (released to manufacturing).

Users, however, can’t update yet. According to a Microsoft TechNet forum posting by Chris Keroack, the release manager, for Windows XP Service Pack 3, XP SP3 for XP Pro users will be made available “on April 29th, via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center.” XP Home users will need to wait even longer. “Windows XP SP3 Automatic Update distribution for users at home will begin in early summer,” wrote Keroack.

In a note to his original message, Keroack also wrote that XP SP3 isn’t available yet to MSDN or TechNet members. While many had hoped that it would be available today, they’ll need to wait, it seems, until it becomes publicly available. Keroack wrote, “This will be available within the next month.”