Microsoft said Monday that it has expanded its testing of Windows XP Service Pack 3, to include subscribers of its MSDN and TechNet programs. Last month, Microsoft made available a test version of XP Service Pack 3 to a group of about 15,000 testers.

The update is significant in that it is the largest change in some time to Microsoft's most-used operating system. However, the XP update is largely a collection of previously issued bug fixes and security updates.

A public beta is scheduled for some later date, with a goal of having it released in final form in the first half of next year. However, Microsoft cautioned that its "timing will always be based on customer feedback as a first priority."

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Microsoft, Windows XP, Service Pack, XP XP3, Beta, MSDN, TechNet