Windows Vista SP1 RTM Resources - the Whole Shebang

On February 4, 2008, Microsoft released Windows Vista Service Pack 1 to manufacturing. The RTM deadline of the first service pack for Vista coincided with Windows Server 2008 going gold, as Microsoft client and server platforms were joined at the hip, starting at kernel-level, a move designed not to repeat the disjunction between Windows XP and Windows Server 2008. For Vista, the RTM failed to be synonymous with the general availability of the service pack. The first to get their hands on the gold bits were the 15,000 participants in the beta testing process, along with Volume License customers, MSDN and TechNet Plus subscribers.

"Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is a vehicle that Microsoft will use to deliver operating system improvements to customers. Windows Vista SP1 is an update to Windows Vista that, along with improvements delivered to users via these other channels, addresses feedback from our customers. In addition to previously released updates, Windows Vista SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability and performance issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards," reads Microsoft's official description of the service pack.

Only on March 18 did Microsoft finally make available Vista RTM for download through Windows Update, as well as on the Microsoft Download Center. The March 18 packages are Wave 0 of the Vista SP1 release, delivering just the English, German, Japanese, Spanish and French. Only the users of Vista RTM editions in these specific five languages are able to grab SP1 either through WU or as standalone downloads. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the operating system is available for download HERE.

"Microsoft strongly recommends using Windows Update to download and install Windows Vista SP1 on single PCs. The download size from Windows Update of Windows Vista SP1 for x86 is 65 MB (compared to 450 MB from the Microsoft Download Center). The download size from Windows Update of Windows Vista SP1 for x64 is 125 MB (compared to 745 MB from the Microsoft Download Center). Windows Update will recognize PCs with known problematic drivers and postpone downloading Windows Vista SP1 until the PC has updated drivers or other applicable updates. Using Windows Update will help ensure you have the most trouble-free update experience possible," the Redmond company stated.

Vista SP1 is not at the end of its journey, although the finish line is on the immediate horizon. The service pack started along in early 2007, with the first leaked screenshot dropped on in mid-May of the last year. By the summer of 2007, Microsoft was well under way with the development process for Vista SP1, and in early August the first screenshots of the service pack build 6001.16549 were leaked by the private testers. Vista SP1 moved through Beta stage then into Release Candidate in December 2007, RC Refresh in January and then RTM with build 6001-18000.

Vista SP1 Pre-Requisites

There is a total of three updates that Microsoft delivered ahead of Vista SP1 through Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center, all set up to prepare the RTM version of the operating system for a smooth delivery of the service pack bits. The Redmond company has already been serving KB937287, KB935509 and KB938371 via WU and Automatic Updates to all Windows Vista users, with the exception of 935509, which is aimed exclusively at the Ultimate and Enterprise SKUs of Vista.

Additional Vista SP1 Resources

On top of the actual Service Pack for Windows Vista, if you are like me, you will also need the documentation that Microsoft provides with SP1. A good place to start with is the Frequently Asked Questions about the service pack. But this is bound not to deliver full satisfaction. Well, fear not! There's more, and plenty to go around. There are also the "Things to know before you download Windows Vista SP1," and of course the "Release Notes for Windows Vista Service Pack 1."

But this is just child's play. Microsoft is also making available more hardcore resources. First off, there is the official Overview of Windows Vista SP1, available for download both as PDF and XPS. Along with the overview, there are also resources pointing to the Notable Changes in Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Hotfixes and Security Updates included in Windows Vista Service Pack 1. And if you want to grab them all in one place there is always the Windows Vista SP1 Guides for IT Professionals, which offers in addition the Deployment Guide for Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

Free Unlimited Installation and Compatibility Support

"Microsoft is providing unlimited, no charge installation and compatibility support for Windows Vista SP1 through a variety of ways: Email support – Response time: Within one business day; 1:1 Chat support – Available M-F from 5:00 am – 12:00 am PST and Sat/Sun from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm PST; Phone support – Available at no charge for those with: Software Assurance, a Microsoft professional services contract, TechNet subscription, MSDN subscription, or who are part of the Microsoft Partner Program. You can find out more about this offering and how to start using it online on the Windows Vista SP1 Help and Support page," revealed Eric Ligman, Microsoft US Senior Manager Small Business Community Engagement.

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2008

On March 22, the Redmond company delivered Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2008, enabling business users to take advantage of the process and toolset designed specifically to automate desktop and server deployment for Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008. Still, the tool comes with support only for the following SKUs of Vista Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate (32 and 64 bit) RTM and SP1, ignoring the Home Basic and Home Premium editions.

"Microsoft Deployment Toolkit technologies eliminate interaction time required to install desktop and server operating systems. Interaction at the targeted computer may take a few moments using the Lite Touch Installation (LTI) method or it can be completely automated using Zero Touch Installation (ZTI). Zero Touch Installation utilizes Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 or Systems Management Server 2003 with the Operating System Deployment Feature Pack. Lite Touch Installation can be used when software distribution tools are not in place," Microsoft explained in the overview for Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2008 available for download here.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the operating system is available for download HERE.

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