On Wednesday, December 5, Windows Vista SP1 RC will be released to the 15k Beta Testers on Microsoft Connect, and on Thursday, December 6, the RC will be made available via MSDN and TechNet subscribers. In addition, we plan to release the SP1 RC bits to the public on TechNet some next week.
What’s important to know:
· We are targeting to deliver SP1 RTM in Q1 CY08, and we will collect customer and partner feedback from our beta program before setting a final date.
· Windows Vista SP1 is an update to Windows Vista that, along with improvements delivered to users via Windows Update and via our hardware and software partners, addresses key feedback from our customers.
· Windows Vista SP1 will provide key improvements around security, performance and reliability, especially around scenarios that are most important to end users and businesses including:
1. All previously released updates since RTM
2. Performance and reliability improvements in core scenarios such as file copy, network browsing, and improved response time to resume from sleep.
3. The installation experience is improved as compared to the beta. This is evidenced by higher install reliability rates, smaller standalone installer size, less disk space required for install and reduced install time.
4. There are improvements to the administration experience. One of the most important changes we’re making is that BitLocker now supports encrypting for multiple volumes.
Q: I’ve heard that performance is bad in SP1. Care to comment (this Q is related to the Devil Mountain software issue)?
A: We appreciate the excitement to evaluate Windows Vista SP1 and Windows XP SP3 as soon as possible. However, these service packs are still in development and will continue to evolve before being released to our customers in the first quarter of 2008 and the first half of 2008, respectively. That said, performance is definitely a priority for Windows Vista SP1 and we are prioritizing key scenarios that our customers have told us are most important, such as copying files, unzipping files, moving files between PCs, and reducing the time it takes to resume from sleep.
Unfortunately, when labs publicize tests on incomplete software, it does a disservice to our customers as it does not accurately reflect what their user experience will be like when it is ready for their deployment and use. We try to avoid early tests of our software by encouraging reviews when the results of those tests will be done with a confidence level that will provide useful guidance to our customers.
Q: What is the release date of Windows Vista SP1?
A: The RTM release date will depend on customer feedback and the quality of the beta, but we are currently targeting Q1 of CY08.
SP1 is going to be released in two waves. The initial release of SP1 will include 5 languages (English, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese). The second release containing all 36 basic languages will occur afterwards.
Q: What is in Windows Vista SP1?
A: Windows Vista SP1 is an update to Windows Vista that, along with improvements delivered to users via other channels, addresses feedback from our customers. In addition to previously released updates, SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. SP1 also continues to improve upon the IT administration experience. SP1 is not intended to be a vehicle for releasing new features; however some existing components do gain slightly enhanced functionality in SP1.
While SP1 contains valuable updates to Windows, organizations don’t need to wait to deploy and can experience the improved security, management and deployment benefits of Windows Vista today.
Q: What advice do you have for customers who were waiting until SP1 before evaluating Windows Vista?
A: Today, Windows Vista provides higher productivity, mobility, and security, with lower ownership costs, than any previous version of Windows.
- Customers currently evaluating and deploying Windows Vista should continue their evaluation, pilot programs, and deployment on Windows Vista RTM. Microsoft provides the tools and guidance customers need to deploy Windows Vista today.
- Customers who choose to wait for Windows Vista SP1 should start their compatibility testing on Windows Vista RTM now, and then begin their evaluation and pilot programs on the RC of Windows Vista SP1 when it is released. Windows Vista includes architectural changes relative to Windows XP, in the interest of improved security and reliability. However, these changes can cause some applications which work on Windows XP not to work on Windows Vista. It is important to note that these architectural changes are also part of Windows Vista SP1. For this reason, testing applications on Windows Vista RTM will be a very good proxy for compatibility with Windows Vista SP1.
Customers should alert ISVs if specific applications are not yet compatible on Windows Vista RTM, and should begin remediating internal applications if they are found not to be compatible. (Additional customer-ready application compatibility content can be found here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa905066.aspx)
Q: Didn’t Windows Server 2008 announce a Release Candidate today too?
A: Yes, RC1 for Windows Server 2008 was made available for testing today – bringing that code one step closer to final. Windows Server 2008 is on track to RTM by the February 27th “Heroes Happen Here” launch event in Los Angeles which kicks off hundreds of launch events worldwide. There are already more than 37 partners signed up to support that launch, including AMD, Citrix, Dell, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, Intel, Quest, SAP and Unisys. For more information on the Heroes Happen Here launch – please visit www.microsoft.com/HeroesHappenHere.
Q: What did you announce this week with regards to WGA?
A: Yesterday, we announced two program changes to the WGA program. The first update will address two exploits to the activation process, and the second will adjust how Microsoft differentiates between the experience customers have on non-genuine and genuine Windows Vista systems. More information on this update can be found here http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2007/dec07/12-03wga.mspx.