Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1: available now

Microsoft has slightly changed its plans on how Windows Vista SP1 will reach users. Instead of a "March release", the company has decided to rethink the way users will have access to this release, so here is the new timetable:

- Beta testers: NOW!
- Volume license: English release now, other languages to follow
- MSDN and TechNet subscribers: sometime mid February
- Download center and Windows Update: sometime from mid March

To start with, if you are planning installing this update, then you should read the list of Hotfixes and Updates in Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

I have downloaded and installed Windows Vista SP1 from Connect (I was involved in the original beta testing).



It wasn't without bumps though.

First I tried the Windows Update method, which requires a special installer downloaded from Connect. It didn't quite like my laptop and wouldn't install. Initially I thought it could be something related to drivers.

As you may know, Microsoft will perform a slow release because some device drivers, the little programs that control your peripherals, aren't working that well with this version. The idea of this slow release to end users is to make sure all PCs are updated with new drivers and then have SP1 installed automatically.

But I knew this shouldn't be a problem on my laptop, which is a "Windows Vista Premium Ready" Acer machine.

So I tried the standalone installer. The update was uneventful - start it and forget it. I did not have to do anythinng and after a couple of reboots the system was updated.

I immediately completed a manual backup to my Windows Home Server, and also created a new restore point "After SP1".

Windows Vista SP1 RTM is available on Connect for download in two flavours - standalone installer and ISO images. These are the files details:

- Windows6.0-KB936330-X86-wave0.exe (434.50 MB)
- Windows6.0-KB936330-X64-wave0.exe  (726.5 MB)
- 6001.18000.080118-1840_iso_client_sp_wave0-FRMCSP0_DVD.iso (1,161.72 MB)

Although I had Windows Vista SP1 RC1 installed on this laptop on a previous build, I am still testing the SP1 RTM. So far so good and I am enjoying this "refresh".

I can confirm then it works fine on an Acer Ferrari 5000 laptop and also on my Apple Mac mini-based Media Center (booting Windows Vista through Bootcamp).

Now to check the odd stuff that wasn't quite right before.

Other related posts:
Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 on Technet, MSDN now
Register for .Net Code Camp Wellington now
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 available now