Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Previewed

To address problems found in Vista since its release in Nov. 2006, Microsoft is preparing the first Vista service pack for release in early 2008. The service pack may satisfy those customers reluctant to install a Microsoft OS until after the first service pack, and therefore could spur corporate deployments of Vista. However, the service pack changes some features and the OS kernel, so customers will want to examine it and decide whether or not it truly improves the performance and reliability of Vista.

SP1 Improvements

The goal for Windows Vista SP1 is to fix problems identified by customers without reducing application compatibility. Unlike Windows XP SP2, which included sweeping product changes designed to increase security and ended up being closer to a full product release, Windows Vista SP1 returns to the more traditional service pack role of delivering only improvements and enhancements to existing features rather than substantial new OS features.

Windows Vista SP1 will include all updates that Microsoft has released up to the time when the service pack is being finalized for release. All updates released on Patch Tuesday for vulnerabilities found in Vista through Dec. 2007 should be included.