Windows Vista & Server 2008 SP2 Beta released to testers

By Neowin Staff, 30 October 2008 - 09:46  35 comments

Microsoft have made available build v6002-16497 of Service Pack 2 for both Windows Vista and Server 2008 to testers late last night. The bits show a compile date of October 17th and weigh in on average around the 3 Gigabyte mark.

Early reports show that the build has a smaller memory footprint, you can find more discussion here on our forums, we'll update this post when more information becomes available.

So far, x86 & x64 versions of English, German, Japanese, Spanish and French language have been made available for testing. If you were lucky enough to be selected, head on over to Microsoft Connect to pick up your flavor of the test build.

Link: Microsoft Connect (Registration required)

For people without a Connect account, you can register here with your Windows Live ID (required) for consideration to test current and future products on offer from Microsoft.

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Comments (35)

  1. Sacha - 30 October 2008 - 10:09

    3 Gigabyte service pack? Is that the streamlined version? That's huge!

    Just want to check if this helps with performance at all. Should I be worried about installing this beta (ability to uninstall/update)?

    Edit: OK just checked. 3 version for x86, 3 versions for x86-64. All between 2.3GB and 2.6GB. Also, I see no reason to believe these are streamlined. Seems like it's just one hell of a service pack?

  2. Neobond - 30 October 2008 - 10:24

    It's probably not the streamlined version that requires SP1

  3. +TCLN Ryster - 30 October 2008 - 14:07

    The 3gb file is NOT the service pack. It's a Vista install disc with the Service Pack slipstreamed. There is no standalone update package for SP2. It's either fresh slipstreamed install OR Windows Update.

    Correction: There is a standalone updater, but it involves downloading an ISO then either burning it to get to the installer, or using an ISO drive mounting tool.

  4. KavazovAngel - 30 October 2008 - 10:21

    I read earlier today that the Ribbon will be coming to Vista applications. Is it included in SP2?

  5. vetneufuse - 30 October 2008 - 13:11

    I believe you read that it will be coming to Windows 7, not vista

  6. NightmarE D - 30 October 2008 - 10:22

    I'd say it's an image. That just sounds too big for a service pack. Didn't they also say it wouldn't include the SP1 files and that you'd need SP1 to install it?

  7. GP007 - 30 October 2008 - 18:10

    It's already been said but that's the whole Vista ISO image with SP2 already in there.

  8. NightmarE D - 30 October 2008 - 19:20

    GP007 said,
    It's already been said but that's the whole Vista ISO image with SP2 already in there.

    And if you look at the time that I posted, you'll see I posted that before anyone actually confirmed it

  9. The Guardian - 30 October 2008 - 11:11

    How do you apply to get an invite?

  10. Neobond - 30 October 2008 - 11:12

    First step is to register at Microsoft Connect with your Windows Live ID and when you are accepted as a tester you will see a lost of available betas in your "dashboard". The SP2 beta isn't a closed beta and I believe Microsoft want as many testers possible on it. So try that way first!

  11. +TCLN Ryster - 30 October 2008 - 14:11

    Neobond, are you sure? I'm in the SP2 techbeta and had to be invited. It's not a public beta, at least not at this stage.

  12. The Guardian - 30 October 2008 - 11:31

    Ive been a member on the Connect site for ages! But I have never seen an option to apply for Windows Vista, its service packs, etc.

  13. Neobond - 30 October 2008 - 11:34

    Try here: https://connect.microsoft.com/directory/ it might be listed in all the available betas you aren't included in yet.

  14. The Guardian - 30 October 2008 - 11:38

    Nope, I had already checked that earlier today, checked it again just now, nothing of this sort is available...

  15. Neobond - 30 October 2008 - 11:41

    Strange, I couldn't find a contact address either so you could request it

  16. The Guardian - 30 October 2008 - 11:43

    Ok...well, never mind, thanks anyways...

  17. thexfile - 31 October 2008 - 22:31

    10/31/2008 Still not listed on connect.

  18. -Hiroshi- - 30 October 2008 - 12:24

    Alrighty, I'm guessing the bigger .iso are images of Vista slipstreamed with SP2?

  19. BlendedFrog - 30 October 2008 - 13:20

    Anyone know why as a tester for vista/server rtm and sp1 I I wasn't asked to do this one?

  20. ZombieFly - 30 October 2008 - 13:55

    M. Seth said,
    Anyone know why as a tester for vista/server rtm and sp1 I I wasn't asked to do this one?

    your opinion obviously doesn't matter to MS

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