Microsoft will make the first release candidate for Windows Server 2008 and the first beta for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 available within the next 24 hours, the software maker announced today. Windows Server 2008 is intended to bring new technologies like server and presentation virtualization capabilities, IIS 7, Server Core, PowerShell, Network Access Protection, Server Manager, and enhanced networking and clustering technologies; it has been touted as the most "integrated" Windows to date.

Along with Windows Server 2008, MS will also be releasing the first beta of Vista SP1 to a select group of 12,000 testers. The current plan is to release Vista SP1 to manufacturing in the first quarter of 2008. The beta focuses on specific reliability and performance issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. Vista SP1 will be very different from Windows XP SP2, which was all about security and broke a large number of applications, including some of Microsoft's own, as it involved trade-offs around application compatibility and the user experience, David Zipkin, senior product manager for Windows Client, told eWEEK Aug. 28. "That is not our intent with Vista SP1, which we are designing to limit user interface changes as much as possible. Those UI changes that we do make will be quite small and will not require retraining or anything like that," he said.

View: Full Story on eWeek


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Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by chrispinto on 25 Sep 2007 - 03:14
SP1 Installed, running, and smooth so far!
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by thollian on 25 Sep 2007 - 03:41
downloading!
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by gadean on 25 Sep 2007 - 03:54
changelog for SP1?
Quote this comment #3.1 Posted by Leo Natan on 25 Sep 2007 - 05:59
changlelog
more info
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by Jugalator on 25 Sep 2007 - 07:10
Sounds like they're also to release five more "reliability packs" soon enough for testing on Connect, along with this.
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsv...able-today.aspx

They're intending to get those out the door even before SP1 is out, but they'll also be included with SP1.
Quote this comment #4.1 Posted by GP007 on 25 Sep 2007 - 14:36
Are these 5 packs in the SP1 beta right now or no?
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by .hasan on 25 Sep 2007 - 08:30
any news on what these 5 new reliability packs improve?
Quote this comment #5.1 Posted by GP007 on 25 Sep 2007 - 14:36
This is the first time I've heard about the new reliability packs so I dunno. But anything like that is welcome imo. It's probably the after effect of Windows Server 2k8 reaching RC0 status. Since the code base is now the same and any fixes/updates made to Server 2k8s core will make it down to Vista also.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by Joshua Lee on 25 Sep 2007 - 10:41
Where is the download?
Quote this comment #6.1 Posted by Lant on 25 Sep 2007 - 15:56
From Microsoft connect (if you were chosen), other places like torrent sites are illegal.
(2 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #7 Posted by JamesWeb on 25 Sep 2007 - 10:41
Does anyone know the build number of this SP1 beta?
Quote this comment #7.1 Posted by profets003 on 25 Sep 2007 - 13:01
6001.16659.070916-1443

anyone notice on connect how it mentions vista sp1 will be released over windows update over the next 48 hours?
Quote this comment #7.2 Posted by GP007 on 25 Sep 2007 - 14:34
Quote - (profets003 said @ #7.1)
6001.16659.070916-1443

anyone notice on connect how it mentions vista sp1 will be released over windows update over the next 48 hours?


I think that's a mistake, they just started the beta and all. Anyways, it sounds like SP1 is good so far from the few reports i've seen of people using it.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #8 Posted by theyarecomingforyou on 25 Sep 2007 - 17:05
Well I hope they get to a public beta / final release soon, as Vista could certainly use all the performance improvements it can get... perhaps it will help make up the 20fps drop I get in Counter-Strike: Source.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #9 Posted by TRC on 25 Sep 2007 - 17:36
The original Ultimate Extras screen: link

The SP1 version of the screen: link

I guess that "cutting-edge programs", "innovative services" and "unique publications" are no longer on the menu.

Microsoft: "Shhh, maybe no one will notice."
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #10 Posted by Croquant on 25 Sep 2007 - 19:15
Now if only XP SP3 was in beta. ::sigh::
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #11 Posted by Amodin on 25 Sep 2007 - 20:20
Maybe I will get to see my Ultimate Extras now! </sarcasm>
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #12 Posted by Garry on 26 Sep 2007 - 02:19
This page: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/bb687945.aspx is dated April 2007. I assume RC0 is newer than the Beta 3 download we got earlier this year, but can anyone confirm? Is the date on the page just wrong?
Quote this comment #12.1 Posted by Psyph3rium on 26 Sep 2007 - 16:48
Yes, RC0 is september alright, just got it up and running, seems even more responsive.
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