14 DAY TRIAL // The complete Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta overview is available for download courtesy of Microsoft. The document is essentially an overview of the first service pack for the operating system and an enumeration of the improvements it will deliver. Currently Microsoft plans to deliver Vista SP1 in the first quarter of 2008. The company failed to specify an exact date hiding behind the argument that ultimately tester feedback will determine the point in time when the refresh will be considered fit for release. Of course that Vista SP1 first will have to hit a standard of quality that will recommend it for general deployment. One important aspect that you have to keep in mind is that Vista SP1 will deliver a range of enhancements designed to soften the rough edges of the operating system, but it will not provide any new functionality.
"In addition to regular Windows Vista updates, application compatibility improvements, and device driver improvements, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is another way Microsoft will deliver improvements to the Windows Vista customer experience. The goal of Windows Vista SP1 is to address key feedback Microsoft has received from its customers without regressing application compatibility. Windows Vista SP1 will deliver improvements and enhancements to existing features that significantly impact customers, but it does not deliver substantial new operating system features. For example, the service pack improves the performance of the desktop shell, but it does not provide a new search user interface or a new version of Windows Media Center," Microsoft reveals in the overview.
As Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, formerly codenamed Longhorn share the same kernel, SP1 will follow Microsoft's last 32-bit Windows server operating system to the market. Windows Server 2008 is scheduled to RTM in the first quarter of 2008 and to launch officially at the end of February. You will be able to access the overview for Windows Vista here, or to download the .PDF or .XPS files.
Microsoft added that "the updates in Windows Vista SP1 fall into three categories: - Quality improvements, including all previously released updates, which address reliability, security, and performance. - Improvements to the administration experience, including BitLocker. Drive Encryption (BDE). - Support for emerging hardware and standards, such as an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) and an Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT)."