XP SP3 and Vista SP1 Get a Redesign, but Not the OSes, Just the Websites

With Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista and Service Pack 3 for Windows XP already made available to the general public, it would be a tad late for Microsoft to introduce a redesign into its Windows clients. But not the same is valid for an overhaul of the Windows, Windows Vista and Windows XP websites on Microsoft.com. The redesigned Windows website spans to encompass the online hotspots dedicated to Vista SP1 and even to XP SP3, delivering a new perspective over Microsoft's marketing approach to its Windows client platforms, with the main focus, of course, on Vista.

"In the US they have launched the new design for the /windows web site here. It was designed with the principles of being Light, Clean and Fast," revealed Microsoft's Rob Margel. As far as the Redmond company is concerned, it all started with the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2008. The software giant's partner event held last week in Houston, Texas marked the commitment to tell Vista's true story, debunk all the myths built around the operating system, and slap Apple back for the Get a Mac video ads.

In fact, the recently introduced Windows Vista Compatibility Center features the new design which has subsequently been introduced to Microsoft's Windows-centric corner of the world wide web. As early as July 9, the old Windows Vista website was up and running, but at the end of the Worldwide Partner Conference 2008, Microsoft kicked up a notch efforts to push its latest operating system onto the market.

"We're making a statement. We're drawing a line right here on this stage that we're going to do things differently going forward. We're going to tell our story -- our story, the real Windows Vista story," stated Brad Brooks, corporate vice president, Windows Consumer Product Marketing, on July 8.

Apparently, a new Vista story cannot be complete without a new Windows website. While Microsoft's online properties did not mark the delivery of SP1 through the introduction of a redesign, the new marketing campaign of Vista is starting at the most basic level. And according to Rob Margel, Microsoft plans to redesign additional, localized Windows websites, in the coming months.