Microsoft: Public Build of Windows Vista SP1 RC Soon

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According to the Softpedia website, Microsoft is currently cooking the first public build of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate. Since the initial introduction of the first testing bits for the first service pack for Windows Vista in mid July, Microsoft has been fending off and dodging in every way possible all references to the public availability of the refresh. In terms of the final release, the company has pointed out the first quarter of 2008. And as far as a public version ahead of fully fledged service pack is concerned, Microsoft has failed breathing a single word. When it comes down to the development milestones of Vista SP1, all things are quiet over at Microsoft.

But, the fact of the matter is that a development milestone for Vista SP1 will be made public in the immediate future. Sooner than you might think in fact, and it will involve the Release Candidate build of the service pack. "We'll broaden the testing pool of SP1 RC bits soon (very soon), so you'll be able to put Windows Vista SP1 RC through its paces yourself. I think you'll find the experience worthwhile and satisfying," stated Nick White, Product Manager at Microsoft with the Windows Vista launch team.

In all fairness, White actually managed to disclose only an abstract availability date. But, by the end of December 2007, Microsoft will indeed broaden the testing pool of Vista SP1 RC to a much broader audience. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate build 6001.17042 was just a Preview version of the actual RC. The latest signs of life from Redmond revealed Vista SP1 RC was scheduled to be made available to testers on December 1. Microsoft failed to confirm this until now. But at the same time, for the next week, the Vista SP1 RC testing program is planned for release to the general public. Just a little something before Christmas.

News source: Softpedia

(3 replies) #1 +DrCheese on 04 Dec 2007 - 09:44

Bizzare, I thought the RC1 released to connect testers was it.

#1.1 GP007 on 04 Dec 2007 - 23:24

Quote - (DrCheese said @ #1)

That was a preview, or more like RC0 iirc.

#1.2 internetworld7 on 05 Dec 2007 - 03:42

No thank you Microsoft. Keep your garbage to yourself. This stud has already switched to a brand new Macbook running the lovely Mac OS X Leopard. It really is true what they say, "Once you go Mac, You won't go back"

#1.3 tablet_user on 03 Apr 2008 - 22:23

(internetworld7 said @ #1.2)

and its also true "Once you go mac you litter the net with worthless mac comments in windows posts"

(1 reply) #2 marty87 on 04 Dec 2007 - 09:52

i'll be installing that

#2.1 .hasan on 04 Dec 2007 - 10:52

same here, on a testing box

(1 reply) #3 :: Lyon :: on 04 Dec 2007 - 11:02

er... so when is it again?

#3.1 sjgore on 04 Dec 2007 - 11:20

December 8th.

(2 replies) #4 sjgore on 04 Dec 2007 - 11:19

Quote -

just a Preview version of the actual RC.

Surely, by definition, a preview of an RC is a beta version?

#4.1 Lt-DavidW on 04 Dec 2007 - 13:21

A beta of a preview of a release candidate of a service pack of an operating system.

#4.2 excalpius on 05 Dec 2007 - 06:27

+1 lt...

(4 replies) #5 Angry_Badger on 04 Dec 2007 - 11:20

Can this be integrated onto the RTM build in the same way you could with the XP service packs?

#5.1 marty87 on 04 Dec 2007 - 11:41

if it's released as a individual installer then i'd like to think so, however, im not sure ms are going to do that, it's probably going to be released pre-integrated into a full vista iso image.

#5.2 Angry_Badger on 04 Dec 2007 - 12:25

Doesnt look like its going to be that easy. For those interested theres an interesting article about it here
http://www.winbeta.org/comments.php?catid=1&id=9536

#5.3 xpclient on 04 Dec 2007 - 15:02

No, SP1 for Vista cannot be integrated into the original. Another "gotcha" of Vista. 2000 and XP are the only OSes that have slipstream capability. MS will produce integrated SP1 images that they'll probably sell for shipping costs to legal RTM users. Installing from an SP1 integrated DVD is anyways recommended because installing SP1 takes AT LEAST 1 HR on VERY VERY SUPERFAST SYSTEMS and much more than that on slower typical systems.

#5.4 +Octol on 05 Dec 2007 - 05:21

Quote - (xpclient said @ #5.3)

2000 and XP are the only OSes that have slipstream capability.

Don't forget Server 2003.

#6 lbmouse on 04 Dec 2007 - 15:26

Still waiting for the SP1 for MS Bob.

Unfortunately it had about the same market penetration as Vista.

(1 reply) #7 +Chrono951 on 04 Dec 2007 - 21:12

Does anyone know if Microsoft has mentioned that if you install this you'll be able to upgrade to the final release without a clean install needed?

#7.1 excalpius on 05 Dec 2007 - 06:30

Well, you can uninstall a SP under Vista easy enough, so the worst case scenario would be an uninstall of the preview to install the full release.

#8 +Octol on 05 Dec 2007 - 05:26

Well, I'll be giving it a try, since the only computer I have that still runs Vista – an HP laptop – is starting to generally screw up. Maybe this service pack will cure what ails it. If not, I'll be installing XP on it, and that'll be my last dalliance with Vista.

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