14 DAY TRIAL // The first service pack for Windows Vista is regarded by many as a crucial milestone in the evolution of the operating system. But this is one crowd that Microsoft has failed to join. The Redmond Company is in fact downplaying at the best of its abilities the relevance of Windows Vista SP1. The reason for this is simple. Microsoft aims to counteract customer perception that Vista upgrades should be postponed past the release of the first service pack for the operating system.
While applauding in excess of 20 million sold Windows Vista licenses worldwide, Microsoft is also fighting a tough crowd that wants the operating system to mature with the release of SP1 in order to make the swap. This is why Microsoft ends up presenting contradictory views on Windows Vista SP1.
In this regard, Microsoft is struggling between either confirming the release of Vista SP1 in the second half of 2007, or not commenting at all on the launch date or even going as far as disputing the service pack's existence.
In late January 2007, Microsoft revealed to its Technology Adoption Partner testers the vague date for the release of Windows Vista SP1. "The Technology Adoption Program (TAP) is looking for customers and partners actively test and provide feedback on Windows Vista SP1 to help us prepare for its release in the second half of CY07," wrote Microsoft in an email.
Microsoft's Stephen Toulouse, senior program manager for the Trustworthy Computing Group was reluctant to deliver the SP1 release date towards the end of February 2007: "It is too early to provide any firm date range for delivery, but we expect Windows Vista SP1 to be a standard service pack that will include security updates and hot fixes, as well as other limited changes focused on improving overall quality."
Microsoft's perspective on the issue of the first service pack for Windows Vista, and on all service packs for that matter, is that thanks to the Windows update infrastructure, SP milestones are beginning to lose their relevance in the maturity of the operating system.
Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Windows Client Marketing Mike Sievert, not only does not comment on the availability date but also talks about the Vista SP1 in terms of "might be." The "might be" approach is designed to act as argument for an immediate upgrade to Windows Vista. So what is it? Will Vista SP1 be released by the end of 2007? Or is this "might be" a sign of cancellation?