Earlier this morning, Microsoft announced that Windows Vista Service Pack 1 has concluded its beta testing and has been released to manufacturing. So, does that mean you can install it today? Nope. From the official announcement:
Here’s the timing for SP1 availability for current Windows Vista users:
- In mid-March, we will release Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Update (in English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese) and to the download center on microsoft.com. Customers who visit Windows Update can choose to install Service Pack 1. If Windows Update determines that the system has one of the drivers we know to be problematic, then Windows Update will not offer SP1. Since we know that some customers may want to update to SP1 anyhow, the download center will allow anyone who wants to install SP1 to do so.
- In mid-April, we will begin delivering Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Vista customers who have chosen to have updates downloaded automatically. That said, any system that Windows Update determines has a driver known to not update successfully will not get SP1 automatically. As updates for these drivers become available, they will be installed automatically by Windows Update, which will unblock these systems from getting Service Pack 1. The result is that more and more systems will automatically get SP1, but only when we are confident they will have a good experience.
- The remaining languages will RTM in April.
I’ve been running various release candidates on x86 and x64 machines for several months now and have encountered very few problems. I’ll get the RTM code this week and will have a full report then.
Ed Bott 
I see connect.microsoft.com has the server 2008 RTM bits already available for download but I don’t see the Vista SP1. Do you happen to know if they will be putting the SP1 bits on connect sooner than Mid-March?
What’s sad about this is that they haven’t even released the Vista SP1 to technet. We are used to having things break, and would love to see it firsthand as well.
Hey, hows that 30 tips in 30 days thing going?
Hi, Bott
I’ve read Windows XP inside & out, excellent book, great book a must have you’re great on that book, but i’m reading your Windows vista inside out right now i’ve got to tell you its good but lots of fluff and i don’t like the way you showing indifference to XP its not good, you’ve showed me how great XP was in your XP book and now you totally disagreeing with that i understand Vista is new and has lots of advancements which is great but XP was good too.
Also the format of the book is same in Vista inside out as was in the XP inside out but its not packed with info like XP book was, every page was a nourishment every time you read it. Vista Inside & Out lacks it.
But still you’re a good Teacher.
thanks
Hi Ed
I understand that the SP has been having some problems Esp. drivers and devices. Have a look at this http://www.windowsvistamagazine.com/UK/05582469250619839053/more-on-the-vista-service-pack-1-drivers-issue.html J.B.