Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC is now available through Windows Update.
Experience the WU based Vista SP1 installation by following 4 simple steps. Windows Vista SP1 RC distributed through Windows Update will be applicable to Windows Vista machines that are running on any of the 36 languages supported by Vista RTM.
Today sp1 ships. hurray. It’s not up there yet but should be later today.
Looking down the list of fixes, here are some that caught my eye (read the whitepaper for the full list):
Office Online Downloads (SP1 will be available here)
Full versions, which Microsoft hopes will help spur increased Vista adoption, are due to be released early next year.
Microsoft released on Wednesday new test versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista Service Pack, two highly anticipated technologies that are scheduled to be released early next year.
Microsoft also revealed partner resources to prepare customers for the release of the server OS, which the company plans to release to manufacturing on Feb. 27, 2008, the same day as a joint-launch event that also will promote SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008. Combined, the three mark Microsoft’s major product release cycle for the year, although the products are not scheduled to be released simultaneously.
Click for more on Microsoft releases new Windows Server, Vista SP1 test code »
Over 1000 patches and all-new features, and a new activation model.
Following our coverage of the Windows XP SP3 beta leak almost a month ago in August, here’s some more info on the official beta, which just had its first authorized distributable released earlier today. Say hello to Windows XP SP3, build 3205!
Along with the standalone installer redistributables, Microsoft also provided the usual release notes and a list of all the hotfixes included in this release. Contrary to popular belief, Windows XP SP3 does ship with all-new features - not just patches and hotfixes, most of them backported from Windows Vista:
Click for more on Windows XP SP3 Build 3205 Released w/ New Features »
A new Vista SP1 beta handed out to beta testers.
Mike Walker: To give you guys a sneak peek at the SP1 build. I just installed Vista SP1 with zero issues. The upgrade process seamless and took approx. an hour. There was only one concern however. My box was waiting for about 20 minutes to shut down. Other than that, all goodness.
I have noticed a huge difference in performance of my machine, it’s like someone injected an espresso into my Vista! This is my first day using so I’ll be sure to check back in to let you guys and gals know how things are going.
Some of these new features that are under the covers that screen shots will not be able to show you:
Microsoft broaden the private XP SP3 beta on the evening of October 4 to include Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 testers.
Microsoft officials said at the end of August that they planned to release Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 to Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet testers within a couple weeks.
Click for more on Microsoft releases beta of XP SP3 to selected testers »
Installing SP1 requires lots of space, and might hinder many from adopting the latest update.
Per Microsoft’s claim, installing the service pack will require a large amount of free disk space (7 GB for x86 and 12 GB for x64). From my own experience, at least 6GB is required to install SP1 on x86. However, its possible to experience SP1 with less effort–only 3G is required now.
Click for more on Install Vista SP1 when system partition size is limited »
The much anticipated reliability and enhancement SP1 update for Vista reviewed.
As you might have known, the leaked beta of Vista SP1 is floating around now, and I get a chance to test it and would like to share my own experience.
Click for more on Hands-on: first impression on Vista SP1 Beta »
For those who are not in the test group, this is the full-featured installation package which supports all the 36 languages.
This is as the one released yesterday, Version .275(6001.16659.0709163)
Grab it before it gone