14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft could not help availability details related to the first service pack for Windows Vista becoming public, although it tried to do its best with the tightly sealed Windows Omerta. The end of 2007 was associated from the start with Vista SP1, but with no official confirmation from Microsoft. Following data made public in a legal rapport from the U.S. Justice department, Vista SP1 at the end of this year has been half confirmed. Only half, because the focus is not on the finished product but on a testing milestone.
Microsoft has started to accept nominations for the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 since before the end of January 2007, preceding the final release to consumers of the operating system. And the Redmond Company hinted even back then to the final availability in the second half of this year. However, Microsoft's position has changed since early 2007, and the company now estimates that, by the end of this year, all it will be able to do is serve the first beta milestone for the service pack.
All these dates are preliminary and of course subjected to change. But the fact that the first beta milestone for Vista SP1 will be delivered at the end of 2007 means that Microsoft is cutting it pretty close with the delivery of the refresh by the end of the year. Chances are that Windows Vista SP1 won't make it to users until 2008. In this context, Microsoft needs to keep the Windows Vista adoption rate alive.
The operating system performed above expectations, and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates revealed at WinHEC 2007 that in excess of 40 million licenses were sold in the first 100 days of availability. Additionally, the company has debuted an initiative designed to convince consumers to deploy Vista now, and not wait for the first service pack.
"Some customers may be waiting to adopt Windows Vista because they've heard rumors about device or application compatibility issues, or because they think they should wait for a service pack release. To help partners and customers get the real story, Microsoft has created a comprehensive set of fact-rich materials illustrating how Windows Vista is ready today and tomorrow," revealed Microsoft in a newsletter as cited by APC. The program was obviously set in place to counter the generalized perception that Vista SP1 will be a turning point for the operating system, and that the wait is worth it. Microsoft's own perspective over the matter is that SP1 for Vista will be a standard release and that the heavy work will be done via its update infrastructure.