Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1 to enhance Windows Vista

Wednesday 10 October 2007 04:21

Development of theMicrosoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is under way, withWindows Vista users eagerly anticipating the arrival of the service pack.

Windows Vista SP1 is expected to improve on many common hardware, software and networking problems with the Vista operating system, while making it more reliable and secure.

Microsoft is planning to release Windows Vista Service Pack 1 alongside Windows Server 2008 in the first quarter of 2008.

Microsoft released the first beta of Windows Vista SP1 on 24 September 2007, and it is being tested by TechBeta participants in the Windows Vista SP1 Beta Program , as well as TechNet and MSDN subscribers .

Early examination has discovered that the Windows Vista Service Pack brings enhancements to the back end, rather than front end of the Vista operating system. For example, Vista SP1 brings many networking and operational improvements.

A Microsoft whitepaper, published in August 2007, said that the Service Pack brings improvements in three areas: reliability and performance, administration experience, and support for newer hardware and standards.

Some of the enhancements that the Vista Service Pack brings include performance improvements with copying files, hibernation, logging off on domain-joined machines, support for 802.11n, IPv6 over VPN connections, support for the Secure Sockets Tunneling Protocol, and support for default third-party desktop search programs.

Most IT managers have not rushed to migrate to Windows Vista, having completed major upgrades to Windows XP in the recent past.

However, many have said they will move to Windows Vista once the Vista service pack has been released .

For these organisations, the upgrade will mean that current PCs need to undergo a technology refresh to be ready for Windows Vista’s intensive memory and graphics requirements.

Windows Vista is the most graphically demanding of the Windows product family, and features the Windows Aero interface, which introduces 3D, transparent windows, and other graphical innovations.

Because of Vista’s new features, Microsoft recommends that users run it on PCs with a minimum of 512Mbytes of Ram, and ideally a dual-core or Intel Pentium-class processor with a minimum of 1Gbyte of memory, plus a premium graphics card.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 news stories/features

Microsoft quashes Vista SP1 reports >>

Gartner: Microsoft subscription licence may become 'mandatory' >>

Inside MSRC: Microsoft server flaw should be given high priority >>

Microsoft forced to make Vista changes >>

Microsoft investigates Windows Vista flaw >>

Does Vista show the path to safer IT? >>

Microsoft delays next version of Virtual Server >>

Windows Vista sales outstrip XP launch >>

Vista packs the prettiest of punches >>

New encryption options in Windows Vista >>

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 on the rest of the web