Windows Vista SP2 is completed

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In the flurry of Windows 7 news and rumors, I almost lost sight of this factoid: Microsoft yesterday announced that Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is complete. The Notable Changes document suggests that it’s a solid collection of bug fixes that will make your life better if you use Vista on a single machine or deploy it on multiple PCs. In addition to bug fixes, the SP rolls up support for Windows Search 4.0, adds the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack, and adds support for the exFAT file system and Windows Connect Now wireless configuration.

The press likes to talk about Windows Vista as if it’s already dead. The reality is it will continue to power tens of millions of PCs for years to come.

Microsoft’s reluctance to commit to firm release dates remains in place, with the public announcement saying only that downloads will be publicly available in the current calendar quarter, which ends on June 30.

Published by Ed Bott

Tech journalist. Author of 25+ books. ZDNET Contributing Editor since 2006. Contact info: https://edbott.com/contact-me/

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15 thoughts on “Windows Vista SP2 is completed”

  2. Must admit that, until last July, when I bought a laptop for my daughter, I was strictly an XP user for the three machines I had at home. Now, after replacing one of those with another Vista machine, I think I prefer Vista to its predecessor.

    Haven’t had one BSOD, compared to a periodic stutter from the XPs. I probably won’t wait as long to upgrade to 7, given my positive experiences with Vista.

  3. Thanks, Ed, for sticking to your guns regarding Windows Vista. Thanks for keeping a real perspective…Vista is very much alive on my network and significantly improved over its predecessors in many areas!

  4. Vista was pretty good in ’06 as a release candidate, and pretty decent now, but Microsoft’s stumbles with it will make Vista the eternal red headed, left handed step child in the eyes of many people.

    I’m typing this post on Windows 7 RC1, and it makes much better use of the Vista kernel, in my amateur view.

    It even appears Microsoft was well prepared for the download demands of this RC, because I got mine without a hitch off Tech Net today.

    So…ahem…cough, cough, congrats Microsoft. Nicely done this time!

  5. Hi Ed. I want to let ran read this Techarp.com article:
    http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=604

    Read the section that says the following:

    “As always, do remember that when Microsoft announces that a product is RTM, it doesn’t mean you will be able to download it right away. RTM merely means it is “released to manufacturing”, including OEMs. Actual public release will be sometime later. Release to web (RTW) will also occur sometime after RTM”

    This should explain to ran why the SP2 download isn’t available right away when it was completed.

  6. Gees mgo…what’s with the “left handed step child ” comment? Everyone know that us left handers are the only ones that are in their right mind!!!

  7. I think the expression is “redheaded stepchild.” So now all you lefties and redheads can get together and come after me!

  8. @Ed – As a left-handed guy, i guess i can now smile! I got all protective for a moment about my left-handedness! Of course, I’ll readily admit that my handwriting is atrocious, but the way the world’s going, we’ll not need to show that soon. Left handers rule! (literally, if you inc. Obama!). Your posts are good. great even. Keep it up.

  10. Looks like SP2 is available on technet. Downloaded it today at lunch, haven’t had a chance to take it or 7 RC on a test drive.

  11. Whoa, Will and PeteK. I’m left-handed too. And indeed as RL was saying, Vista SP2 final is now available on the MSDN and Technet Subscription downloads page for those who have a subscription to either one. More Vista SP2 downloads will be available to MSDN/Technet subscribers later this month.

    Let’s look at Techarp.com’s Vista SP2 Release Schedule article again:
    http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=604
    It was revised on May 1 to point out a much more accurate Vista SP2 release schedule. Release to Web [RTW] now says “Expected End of May, 2009”. So by the end on May, Wave 0 of Vista SP2 [the 5 language version] will be available to the general public on Windows Update by that time.

  12. More Vista Service Pack 2 downloads, including the “slipstreamed” SP2 DVD ISO images, SP2 language packs, checked builds and symbol releases have been made available on the MSDN and Technet subscription downloads sites. Most of them were posted on May 11 and others on May 14.

  14. Vista SP2 has now been posted at Windows Update and at Microsoft Download Center. Time to write a new blog on its general availability [aka. release to web].

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