Microsoft Warns Not To Use 'SP3 Preview Pack'

We posted earlier this week about an unofficial set of patches being labeled as a Windows XP SP3 "Preview Pack". The pack was created by members of TheHotfix.net and included many patches not generally available to the public. Today we get word from Bink.nu that Microsoft has issued a statement in their newsgroups regarding this unofficial package:

"It is just a collection of hotfixes and other updates we have released. It will not update your Windows XP system to SP3. It also contains a number of private hotfixes that are usually only issued to users with a specific identifiable problem. The hotfixes are not as rigorously tested at public released ones this is why we ask you to call PSS to get them so we can track you and provide further assistance such as new versions of the fixes etc as they become available.

Just installing all the "privates" on your PC may make you machine LESS stable and will also put you out of support from Microsoft or an OEM as you are installing incorrectly issued private hotfixes. Frankly this "package" should be avoid and you should continue to use Windows Update and the download site to get the most up-to-date and correctly issued Microsoft fixes and patches."

Update: Ethan Allen, administrator of TheHotfix has responded to Microsoft's comment:

"Our pack is indeed a preview to what the official service pack will be, as these hotfixes will be in Service Pack 3 as proven by Microsoft's own knowledge base. Searching the keywords "kbwinxppresp3fix" and "kbwinxpsp3fix" at https://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1 will provide you an exact list of what we give out, nothing more, nothing less. Each of these hotfixes can be obtained for free from Microsoft by calling their support lines."