.SP3 File Extension
NGS SP3 File
| Developer | NOAA NGS |
| Popularity |
4.2 | 14 Votes |
What is an SP3 file?
File created in the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Standard Product #3 (SP3) format; saved in a plain text ASCII format and contains satellite orbit information; used for tracking GPS satellite orbits, but also supports non-GPS orbits as well.
More Information
The original SP3 format, called SP3-a, was extended to include additional information in the SP3-b and SP3-c formats.
Programs that open SP3 files
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Identification File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.9 | 20 Votes |
More Information
Before PCs and operating systems were regularly updated over the Internet, they were updated using physical CD-ROMs. Windows XP updates were stored on Windows XP Service Pack CDs. These CDs contained a number of files and folders used to apply fixes and enhancements to a user's copy of Windows XP.
The Windows XP Service Pack 3 disc also contained a file named either WIN51IP.SP3 (Windows XP SP3 Professional Edition) or WIN51IC.SP3 (Windows XP SP3 Home Edition). These files contain no data. However, Windows XP checks for their presence before installing Service Pack 3.
Microsoft released Windows XP Service Pack 3 on April 21, 2008. This final Windows XP Service Pack included features that had first been made available in Windows Vista, additional security improvements, and 1,174 bug fixes.
Common SP3 Filenames
WIN51IP.SP3 - Identification file included in Windows XP Professional Edition Service Pack 3.
WIN51IC.SP3 - Identification file included in Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3.
How to open an SP3 file
SP3 files are not meant to be opened. If you still possess a copy of Windows XP Service Pack 3, you can use the disc to apply the fixes and enhancements it contains to Windows XP. To do so, insert the disc into your CD-ROM drive, browse to the disc in File Explorer, and double-click SETUP.EXE.