Windows XP Service Pack 4 Unofficial 3.1b

Windows XP Unofficial SP4 ENU is a comprehensive update package for the Windows XP operating system. Designed to fill the gap left by the end of Microsoft's official support for the OS, the SP4 package includes all available Windows XP updates, including request-only hotfixes, as well as security enhancements developed by a security expert named Stefan Kanthak.

One of the key features of the package is its ease of installation. It can be applied to a live Windows XP system with SP1 or later installed or slipstreamed into any Windows XP installation media. The package includes updates for most Windows XP components, including Media Center Edition and Tablet PC. .NET Frameworks 4.0, 3.5, 1.1, and 1.0 (Tablet PC only) are included, along with all post-end-of-life (EOL) updates for .NET Framework 1.1, 3.5, and 4.0 up to January 2016. The .NET 1.x and 3.5 versions are automatically installed or updated in live installations, while Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 is enabled by default in integrated installations. Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 is always installed if Media Center Edition is present.

The package also includes the POSReady trick, which allows users to scan Windows Update for POSReady updates. This feature extends the life of the OS by enabling access to updates that were released for POSReady systems, which are based on Windows XP.

In addition to updates and security enhancements, the package includes documentation in the form of a 7zip archive. The archive contains the Windows XP SP4 Deployment Guide, a series of 6 WMV videos that discuss special SP4 installation scenarios, and the Windows XP SP4 Components Reference, a PDF file that lists every update and component included in the package. The archive also includes HTML copies of the SP4 Release Notes, SP4 Live Installation Instructions, and SP4 CD-ROM Installation Instructions.

Users should note that before installing SP4 on a system with many post-SP3 updates installed, they should follow the steps described in a link provided by the package's developer to prevent a common error message. Although the SP4 installer takes steps to automatically delete these files, it may require manual intervention in some cases. All SP3 installer-related Knowledge Base Articles apply to SP4 as well.

Overall, Windows XP Unofficial SP4 ENU is an excellent solution for users who wish to extend the life of their Windows XP system. The package is easy to install and includes all available updates, including request-only hotfixes and POSReady updates. The security enhancements developed by Stefan Kanthak also add an extra layer of protection to the OS. The documentation included in the package is also a helpful resource for users who need assistance with installation or have questions about the components included in the package.