Vista SP1, Windows Server 2008 Complete

The availability of Windows Vista’s first service pack (SP1) and the release of Windows Server 2008, both in Feb. 2008, may remove a significant barrier to Vista deployment. In addition, customers can begin to use features that shipped in Vista, such as Network Access Protection, that require Windows Server 2008—based services. But third-party driver problems with Vista will mean that most customers will have to wait two more months before they can actually get the Windows Vista fixes of SP1.

Goals of SP1

Microsoft’s goal with Windows Vista SP1 is to fix the most significant problems identified by customers, such as poor file copy performance, without reducing application compatibility or introducing new problems, so that large organizations will begin to deploy Vista.

Many Microsoft customers are reluctant to deploy a new version of Windows until the first service pack fixes problems unearthed by early adopters. Waiting has been a particularly reasonable strategy for Windows Vista, which made sweeping changes to tighten security, delivered new features (such as the Aero graphics interface), changed existing features (such as the Windows shell), and changed routine but necessary functions (such as how files are copied). Those changes and the fact that the product was rushed to market to meet a late 2006 deadline have led to many initial problems, and most large organizations have deferred deployment of Vista.