No third service pack for Windows Server 2003

[Osiris]

Microsoft has outlined some support changes coming in July 2010 for wrinkly versions of its Windows Server platform.
The software giant's Windows Server ops manager Chrissy House declared yesterday that extended support for Windows Server 2000 will end on 13 July 2010.
She was also at pains to "clarify some misperceptions" about Windows Server 2003 support being granted another lifeline with a third service pack.
"We have received inquiries from our customers and partners on whether or not there will be a need for a Service Pack 3 for Windows Server 2003. Microsoft will not have a SP3 release for Windows Server 2003," said House.
As of 13 July 2010, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 will be shifted from their current mainstream support phase to the extended support phase.
During that time Microsoft will provide security updates and paid support.
Microsoft has the full skinny here

No third service pack for Windows Server 2003 ? Channel Register

 

[veg1992]

I thought that was kind of obvious, I mean isn't Windows XP x64 bit Edition based of Windows Server 2003 and SP3 doesn't work with it.

 

[Apokalipse]

XP and XP x64 edition are different OS's, and have different service packs. As such, their service packs cannot really be compared directly. They'll have their own specific bug fixes, OS enhancements and optimisations which don't necessarily translate to the other OS.

In fact, Service Pack 2 for XP x64 edition is newer than SP2 for XP; for those bug fixes which might apply to both OS's, Service Pack 2 for XP x64 will include more of them than Service Pack 2 for XP. Though Service Pack 3 for XP is newer still.
However, if you install the updates to both OS's, they'll both be about as up to date as each other anyway. You can even integrate updates into the install CD using nlite.