Details on Windows Vista SP2 emerge
By Marshalus, 27 October 2008 - 18:51 78 comments
Microsoft has begun to release some details on the enhancements that they intend to bring with Windows Vista Service Pack 2. As we reported on Neowin last week, Microsoft has released an early beta build of Vista SP2 to testers weighing in at around 290MB.
The reason why the file size is so much smaller then SP1 is that SP2 will require SP1 to be installed before upgrading and this is something Microsoft intends to carry through to the final product. This is a departure from Microsoft's past service pack philosophy that was used in Windows XP and Windows 2000, where each new package included all of the fixes from the previous versions.
Starting October 29, SP2 will be available to customers of the Technology Adoption Program. Microsoft intends a public release in the first half of 2009. After feedback from the beta program has come in, they state that they will use that data to better set a schedule for the final release.
What hasn't been talked about much is that Windows Vista SP2 will also be Windows Server 2008 SP2, embodied in a single service pack which Microsoft said, on their Springboard Series blog, "continues the single serviceability model established with the Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 RTM release. This approach helps reduce the testing and deployment complexity for our customers."
Windows Server 2008 RTM (release to manufacturing) is labeled as "Service Pack 1" in the about dialog, so when Microsoft releases SP2 it will actually be the first true service pack for that operating system.
In addition to building on top of all of the fixes and enhancements included in Windows Vista SP1 and in Windows Server 2008 RTM, Service Pack 2 will feature:
- Support for VIA 64-bit CPUs
- Support for Bluetooth 2.1.
- Support for ICCD/CCID smart cards.
- Support for native Blu-Ray media recording.
- Windows Connect Now (WCN), a new tool to assist in connecting to Wi-Fi networks.
- ex-FAT file system, supporting UTC timestamps to ensure correct file synchronization across time zones.
- Windows Search 4.0 integration.
- Improved support for resuming with active Wi-Fi connections.
Microsoft plans to retain full backwards compatibility on Windows Vista SP2 with applications that run on Windows Vista and Windows Vista SP1 and are written using public APIs. They recommend that companies who intend on adopting Windows Vista SP1, plan to deploy SP2 when it becomes available.
Comments (78)
King Mustard - 27 October 2008 - 14:48
Interesting
+TCLN Ryster - 27 October 2008 - 16:08
Yeah. That's one word for it
Taomyn - 27 October 2008 - 16:34
Then simply copy your CD to the hard disk, slipstream then SP and reburn the CD. Job done. When the next SP comes out, repeat with the last copy.
Raa - 27 October 2008 - 22:26
Except you failed to mention that you CANNOT slipstream a Vista CD. (Officially)
theyarecomingforyou - 27 October 2008 - 22:28
With Vista the ability to slipstream was removed. Instead people have to grab an OEM image from torrent sites, which seems a real step backwards.
Airlink - 28 October 2008 - 00:12
That's what vLite is for.
waruikoohii - 28 October 2008 - 04:08
Microsoft has stated that it is a design goal to let customers slipstream SP2. It wasn't possible with SP1 due to changes in the servicing stack.
Raa - 28 October 2008 - 08:25
I know, read my comment below about waiting for this 'feature'
j2006 - 27 October 2008 - 14:59
Sounds good!
I'm looking forward to this update.
I really hope they have a new 'Feature Pack' as well soon. I remember they are going foward with separate 'Service' and 'Feature' packs. So that'd be interesting.
Raa - 27 October 2008 - 22:27
Don't forget, feature packs often don't get to the hands of retail customers, often they are for OEM's only - such as the Media Center TV Pack!
Gotenks98 - 27 October 2008 - 15:00
they just dont get it, part of what folks wanted was a way to integrate sp2 into the existing vista media without using all that buggy 3rd party crap. Looks like they are making us buy preintegrated media yet again.
Raa - 27 October 2008 - 22:27
There was no mention of whether it could/not be integrated, we'll have to wait and see how this one unfolds...
badblood - 27 October 2008 - 15:14
Kinda cool that you will only need one SP for both server and client OS. Complications may arise when certain vunerabilities occur in Vista and not Server 2008 and vice versa and then a hotfix will be the only way to act against said vunerability.
Rudy - 27 October 2008 - 15:27
that's how it was before Windows XP, nothing new they just went back to what they used to do (which is better IMHO)
bolix - 27 October 2008 - 15:31
Isn't "Windows Connect Now" the tool already available for connectivity on Windows XP?
Airlink - 29 October 2008 - 06:34
No, XP has the "Wireless Network Setup Wizard" and the "Wireless Network Connection" apps. There is no app named "Windows Connect Now" bundled with XP.
However, I do see your point: XP's WiFI apps work just fine, so why did Microsoft need to re-invent the wheel for Vista, and the again for Vista SP2, right? Don't ask me. I don't understand why we even needed Vista in the first place.
I'll switch from XP when Windows 7 is mature or when XP stops being widely supported, and not before then.
ozzy76 - 27 October 2008 - 15:44
I hope I'm misunderstanding this. So an RTM release of Vista cannot be upgraded to SP2 without first having SP1 installed?
I'm sure they'll release an official SP2 integrated disc but this is just gives me another bad taste in my mouth regarding Vista. I refuse to install an OS (that comes preloaded with a service pack) only to be prompted upon first login to install ANOTHER service pack. We're going forward in reverse.
Marshalus - 27 October 2008 - 16:13
That is correct.
devHead - 27 October 2008 - 17:08
That's the way it used to be, and frankly seems to me to be a little more logical. And if you refuse to install it, guess what? That's fine too! Since when do OSes that come preloaded with a service pack prompt you to install the second one immediately after first login to install the second one? My goodness, how old were you when NT4 came out, nine?
ozzy76 - 27 October 2008 - 17:21
How does it seem more logical?
I install Vista (SP1) and run Windows Update, it will prompt me install to install SP2, hence what I meant "prompted upon first login to install ANOTHER service pack". Maybe I should have said, the first time I run Windows Update I am prompted to download & install another 300+ MB download.
All I'm asking is the ability to easily install an OS with the latest SP slipstreamed as to avoid hours of post-install configuration. I'm not bashing Vista, just want to make things easier. I wonder if Win 7 will have the same methodology with service packs.