Windows XP has now had 3 major update packages called Service Packs in the time since its release. The Packs contain most of the released hotfixes up to that point and also a few new features and enhancements. The most notable being Wifi support introduced to XP in Service Pack 2. The problem is, if you don’t have the latest version of Windows XP on your install CD, there will be literally hundreds of patches from Microsoft Update including the latest Service Pack which you have to install first and is over 300MB.

If your Windows CD doesn’t include the latest Service Pack, there is a process to be able to seamlessly integrate it onto your CD (or USB stick) and with every new installation of the Operating System from then on, the latest Service Pack is installed at the same time. This method is called “Slipstreaming” and while it creates an updated install from you CD, it also produces a much quicker and cleaner Windows installation.

Slipstreaming the latest Service Pack can actually save between 1 and 2 hours on a slow machine if you have to install it after your operating system has been installed. This makes it worthwhile for everybody with an older CD to do and is quite easy only taking a few minutes. All you need is a blank CD and the latest Service Pack 3 from Microsoft.
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