bit-tech.net

Microsoft announces Vista SP1 RTM

Published on 4th February 2008 by Tim Smalley

Microsoft has released Windows Vista Service Pack 1 to manufacturing... It'll be available in mid-March via Windows Update.

Mike Nash, a member of the Windows Product Management group at Microsoft, today announced that the software giant has released Windows Vista Service Pack 1 to manufacturing for English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish versions of the operating system.

"Service Pack 1 is a very important milestone because it addresses many of the key issues that our customers have identified with Windows Vista over the last year both, directly and through programs like the Customer Experience Improvement Program," he explained. "With Service Pack 1, we have made great progress in performance, reliability and compatibility."

Don't think that you'll be getting the Service Pack tomorrow though, as Nash outlined the availability plan on the Windows Vista Blog. Starting in mid-March, Microsoft will make the Service Pack available for download via Windows Update and the Download Centre on Microsoft.com. In mid-April, the company will then roll out Windows Vista SP1 to those who have chosen to have updates downloaded automatically.

Nash said that if there are any systems that Windows Update determines to have a driver that is known to not update successfully, they will not be given SP1 automatically. " As updates for these drivers become available, they will be installed automatically by Windows Update, which will unblock these systems from getting Service Pack 1. The result is that more and more systems will automatically get SP1, but only when we are confident they will have a good experience."

For those wondering what has changed in Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Microsoft released a 17-page change log, which outlines the fine details of the new build.

The improvements include support for the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on 64-bit versions of the OS, DirectX 10.1, and exFAT – a new file system supporting larger overall capacity and larger files, which will be used in Flash memory storage and consumer devices. There are many more improvements and fixes, but I'll save you from a massive list and let you go and read them if you're especially interested.

Is the list of changes enough to make you upgrade to Windows Vista once SP1 is made available via Windows Update, or would you rather stay away from Microsoft's latest OS completely? Tell us your plans in the forums.

29 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

knowyourenemy 4th February 2008, 16:26

If everything necessary from my current install of XP Pro will work on vista, not limited to software, then this may be the time to update for me.

We'll see how it goes.

kenco_uk 4th February 2008, 16:49

Quote:

Enhances TCP Chimney network card support so that a TCP Chimney network card can also support Compound TCP.

So, once installing SP1, I'll get the other half of my christmas presents.. or something? Because I'm sure there's stuff ordered online that still hasn't come yet.

Just reading through and noticed this one:

Quote:

Users are now required to enter a password hint during the initial setup of Windows Vista SP1. This change was made based on feedback from top PC manufactures that many customers frequently do not remember their password and because the administrator account is turned off by default on Windows Vista, these users do not have a way to access to their PCs. A password hint helps avoid this frustrating scenario.

Aye, just a bit frustrating. My mrs forgot the password to her laptop and although their is a bootable cd out there to reset the password, I couldn't get the darn thing to work. So in the end it would have needed a format! Thankfully, after a few hours looking at things at home, something triggered and she remembered it.

Tim S 4th February 2008, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenco_uk
So, once installing SP1, I'll get the other half of my christmas presents.. or something? Because I'm sure there's stuff ordered online that still hasn't come yet.

TreeDude 4th February 2008, 17:19

Maybe this will get me to install that copy of Vista Ultimate that has been sitting on my desk for a year. I got it for free in a CPU/mobo combo and never touched it.

I think I'll wait till I get a 3870 though. My 6800 128MB is showing it's age.

quack 4th February 2008, 17:39

I'm wondering how long it'll take the "naughty people" to implement a new system to bypass activation now that the old methods (should) no longer work. :) I love a good game of cat and mouse I do.

samkiller42 4th February 2008, 17:59

And i was told it would be out today, they were wrong.

Sam

cpemma 4th February 2008, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowyourenemy
If everything necessary from my current install of XP Pro will work on vista, not limited to software, then this may be the time to update for me.

My only hardware that doesn't work well under Vista is the TV card. A Hauppauge Vista driver is installed but all the PVR software I've tried with the card (Hauppage's own, Media Portal, Showshifter, so far) seems flaky (or in some cases, more flaky than usual) and Vista Media Center can't even see it. :(

On software the only problem program was my oldish Starry Night 5 - the site suggests installing as admin, which produced a working program from my original 5.0.0 CDs, but after adding the 5.8.2 update it crashes on opening. :(

The change with Vista is comparable to the change when Bit-Tech changed the forum system; an initial deep shock followed by a long period of trauma with occasional screaming fits. They say you'll get better. (They're lying.)

sam.g.taylor 4th February 2008, 18:55

Bah humbug! Please stop teasing us, Microsoft, with updates for your new OSs, when we're still waiting for the final version of XP SP3!

Cthippo 4th February 2008, 19:50

Why do they have to release top manufacturing somthing that's going to be distributed almost exclusively online? I mean, sure, a couple of people will need physical media, but why hold things up another month for them???

Quote:

Nash said that if there are any systems that Windows Update determines to have a driver that is known to not update successfully, they will not be given SP1 automatically. " As updates for these drivers become available, they will be installed automatically by Windows Update, which will unblock these systems from getting Service Pack 1. The result is that more and more systems will automatically get SP1, but only when we are confident they will have a good experience."

This is part of why I switched to linux. Someone needs to sit MS down and explain tha this is MY computer, I decided what goes on it, what gets updated etc, NOT YOU! This kind of paternalistic BS really gets to me. </RANT>

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpemma
The change with Vista is comparable to the change when Bit-Tech changed the forum system; an initial deep shock followed by a long period of trauma with occasional screaming fits. They say you'll get better. (They're lying.)

They both create new headaches without adding any new functionality? It still sucks, but unlike with MS going to vista, it hasn't pissed me off enough yet to switch.

notatoad 4th February 2008, 20:01

question for people who have been using sp1 rc1/2: how much of an improvement is there in file copy? is it anywhere close to xp's performance?

wuyanxu 4th February 2008, 20:09

damn, bought a 2GB memory stick, went to university, and tryed to find a link for the download today, why not today :(

any news of Vista SP1 integrated DVD being available soon? i prefer a clean re-install when i next do it, so hope they will make one available on MSDN e-academy soon

oasked 4th February 2008, 20:54

Not available to download until March? Why?

Well, at least I don't need SP1, Vista x64 works fine here. :)

DXR_13KE 4th February 2008, 23:32

no PT version then....

spazmochad 5th February 2008, 00:51

Been using the beta for awhile now, its pretty easy to obtain if your like me and can't wait. So far nice and stable. The only problem I had was with audio lag with network activity. Don't know if my tinkering or the service pack fixed it now though.

cpemma 5th February 2008, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthippo
Someone needs to sit MS down and explain tha this is MY computer, I decided what goes on it, what gets updated etc, NOT YOU! This kind of paternalistic BS really gets to me. </RANT>

You probably weren't affected when an Office 2000 patch and a few other updates caused a great deal of annoyance to a few users and many people used to leave off installing patches until the more fool-hardy had had chance to "test" them in service. MS have been more cautious since.

The decision on "what goes on it, what gets updated etc" is still 100% yours - it's very simple to turn off auto-update and get the patches you feel you need manually; you've four choices, only one of which is automatic install.

The fact that people don't like waiting while other people get served is just our childishness, so stop being a brat. ;)

rhuitron 5th February 2008, 07:36

I wonderz?
Will it be a crack killer??

Just curious about all those people with the illegal versions out there. :|

Bauul 5th February 2008, 09:47

Anything that improves the speed, accessibility and reliability of Vista is a good thing. I've been contemplating getting it for a while now, if it works OK there's absolutely no reason not to. At the moment there are still enough kinks in it to warrent waiting, but after the service pack, why not? It's not like I use any far out software that might not work correctly with it.

quack 5th February 2008, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by samkiller42
And i was told it would be out today, they were wrong.

Well it is out today, just not to the public. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthippo
This is part of why I switched to linux. Someone needs to sit MS down and explain tha this is MY computer, I decided what goes on it, what gets updated etc, NOT YOU! This kind of paternalistic BS really gets to me. </RANT>

What would you rather... a) Have SP1 downloaded to your machine then the update operation fails everytime because you have a dodgy driver that is known to cause issues... or b) Have Automatic Updates keep SP1 hidden until the driver is updated first. If you really want to install SP1, by downloading it from the Download Center and running it manually then that is up to you - no one's stopping you. I know which I'd rather have if I were a "home user" who didn't know any better. Your rant is totally unwarranted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supertoad
question for people who have been using sp1 rc1/2: how much of an improvement is there in file copy? is it anywhere close to xp's performance?

This article by Mark Russinovitch might be of some interest to you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhuitron
I wonderz? Will it be a crack killer?? Just curious about all those people with the illegal versions out there. :|

AFAIK SP1 invalidates all (well) known crack and workarounds for Vista RTM.

Krikkit 5th February 2008, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by quack
What would you rather... a) Have SP1 downloaded to your machine then the update operation fails everytime because you have a dodgy driver that is known to cause issues... or b) Have Automatic Updates keep SP1 hidden until the driver is updated first. If you really want to install SP1, by downloading it from the Download Center and running it manually then that is up to you - no one's stopping you. I know which I'd rather have if I were a "home user" who didn't know any better. Your rant is totally unwarranted.

Well said - it's a damn good idea for them to stagger it out for people they think it won't work for, especially given the fact that you can force the update by simply downloading it. Bloody good idea tbh.

Cthippo 5th February 2008, 20:46

It's irrelevant to me, since things like this on Vista caused me to switch to linux. The fundamental issue remains that companies seem to feel that you don't own the software and so since they think they still own it they can control what you do with it.

SinxarKnights 6th February 2008, 08:44

I can't remember where but I read that SP1 was gonna be released mid FEB, not MARCH. Have I been reading lies again or did MS just move it up?

Delphium 6th February 2008, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuyanxu
any news of Vista SP1 integrated DVD being available soon?

Yes, I can 100% confirm there is an iso being released with sp1 integrated for both x86 and x64 ;)

There is also 3 .exe updates..
a) "escrow" version, which is english only just over 400mb for x86, unknown size for x64.
b) 5 or 6 lanuage update pack for most common lanuages at about 450mb for x86, unknown size for x64.
c) full 36 lanuage update which is about 550mb for x86 and about 894mb for x64.

However I beleive that only b) and c) will be released to the public.

wuyanxu 6th February 2008, 10:29

the x64bit SP1 is 900MB. i "know" it

Delphium 6th February 2008, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuyanxu
the x64bit SP1 is 900MB. i "know" it

Just checked again, 894mb ;)

quack 8th February 2008, 12:30

If you downloaded and are running SP1 RC Refresh 2 (6001.18000.080118-1840) - YOU HAVE SP1 RTM. :)

(You can still download SP1 via WU if you use the registry entry Microsoft announced for RC Refresh 2.)

Delphium 8th February 2008, 14:11

Interesting, will give this a spin later when home.
Cheers. ;)

cpemma 8th February 2008, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphium
c) full 36 language update which is about 550mb for x86 and about 894mb for x64.

Nice to know, I came across a site suggesting it was a few Gb...

Full walk-through for getting it through Win Update here.

The linked file is the same reg hack as Quack linked plus full MS instructions (in Word 2007 docx) and the MS EULA. Read the instructions, it's a several-stage process.

Now excuse me, I'm off to get it.

quack 8th February 2008, 20:23

It still shows up as Release Candidate 1 in WU. Downloading and installing now.

cpemma 9th February 2008, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by quack
It still shows up as Release Candidate 1 in WU. Downloading and installing now.

Look, MS have left it available for the eager, you don't expect them to start changing the text too, do you?

I'm finding it a bit of a non-event.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zdnet
Where Windows XP SP2 introduced the Windows Security Center, and changed the existing Windows Firewall, Windows Vista SP1 introduces almost no visible change to your desktop. There are no new features to view, with almost all of the nearly 300 changes occurring under the hood, and mostly intended for Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions.