Microsoft aiming to deliver Vista SP2 before Windows 7

[Dashken]

The Windows team is readying second service packs (SP2) for Vista — and for its server complement, Windows Server 2008 — and is aiming to deliver these SP2s before it releases Windows 7, according to my sources.

I’m hearing that Microsoft already has delivered a beta of at least Vista SP2 to select hardware and software partners, the same way that it has been providing a hand-chosen few with early builds of Windows 7. I noticed that Microsoft has put up a place holder Knowledge Base article on October 2 regarding the forthcoming SP2 betas. (I see a couple of other bloggers saw this, as well.)

I haven’t heard details from any testers regarding any of the features due in Vista SP2 or Windows Server 2008 SP2. But here are some tidbits of what I have heard from my sources:

(I’ve asked the Windows client and server teams for comment on their respective SP2 features/timing and will update this post if and when I hear back. Given how tough it was to get info out of Microsoft on Vista SP1, I am not holding my breath….)

Update: Here’s all the Vista team will say, courtesy of a spokesperson: “Microsoft is working on a second Windows Vista service pack (Windows Vista SP2) and will share more details in the coming months.”

Update No. 2: From the server team, via a spokesperson: “(T)he comment (above) serves for Windows Server as well; Microsoft is not commenting further on the timing/release plans for the WS08 SP2 at this time, but will share more details in the coming months.”

Microsoft is expected to release a public Beta 1 of Windows 7 in mid-December, according to internal schedule information from sources. I haven’t yet heard when Beta 1 of Windows Server 2008 R2 is due, but I would bet it will be in the next month or two, as well. If Microsoft really is hoping to get Vista SP2 and Win Server 2008 SP2 out first, that doesn’t give the Redmondans a whole lot of time to test and deliver its pair of SP2s.

Given the timing, I’m wondering whether Microsoft might decide to deliver any of the tweaks or features it is building into Windows 7 via Vista SP2. Are there any fixes or tweaks you are hoping Microsoft delivers as part of Vista/Win Server 2008 SP2?

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 20 years. Don't miss a single post. Subscribe via Email or RSS. Got a tip? Send Mary Jo your rants, rumors, tips and tattles. For disclosure on Mary Jo's industry affiliations, click here.

Source: Microsoft aiming to deliver Vista SP2 before Windows 7 | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com

[g0tanks]

I'm hoping for more speed optimizations.

[slugbug]

I still use XP and probably will continue to for some time.

[Dashken]

I'm using both XP Pro @ home and Vista Ultimate and Business @ work. Love them all!

[Chai]

Using XP Pro at work, Vista Ultimate at home.

Didn't like Vista so much, but the ability to support more than 4GB is good.

[lee_what2004]

still using xp pro
no vista in the meantime

[fapDaddy]

Steve Ballmer said it's ok to skip vista for windows 7, nothing much to do with me though...I'm a linux kaki.

Windows Vista is using kernel 6.0.6 while Windows 7 will be based on kernel 6.1, still not sure what will be included in kernel 6.1 as new features though.

[Zenphic]

Vista's kewl, but its boot speed is like 20 seconds more than my XP Pro computer. I'm not sure why. lol

[ZuePhok]

Originally Posted by Zenphic

Vista's kewl, but its boot speed is like 20 seconds more than my XP Pro computer. I'm not sure why. lol

but you miss out the point that for the rest of the week, or maybe a month, who knows, you don't have to shut it down. You simply let it sleeps.

Vista is not perfect. it has its own share of flaws. it's slow on machines with <2GB memory but it's also getting alot of undeserved bashing. eg. a writer once said vista's future is gloomy just because the demo machine didn't boot up!!!. Seriously, how dumb can people get? I would say a lot of sensationalized news.

Independent hal architecture, user space driver stack, revamped audio architecture, a more intelligent I/O system, and the list goes on. I hardly hear ppl appreciate these improvements.

the latest graphics features wouldn't be possible without the capability to "restart" the drivers. It can self-recover, when GPU OC attempts fail. Switchable graphics on Centrino2?
Without the independent hal design, it's simply not possible for me to have a fresh installation of vista, on a new system, up in 15mins. one image, regardless of the specification. Vista is not as bad as it seems actually.

[fapDaddy]

Vista failure (yes, I considered it as a failure) is largely due to the marketing, the delayed, the expectation, and its over protective.

The marketing:
let's not talk about it...

The delayed:
The earlier hardware underperform due to driver issue, some applications work on XP doesn't work on Vista (backward compatibility issue...come on, it's a new OS). this is caused by the fact that almost a decade of XP make people afraid of changes.

The expectation:
Longhorn, which later become vista, has some fancy features that are not included in vista, it's actually kinda disappointing for both the creator and user.

Over protective:
YKWIM.

Windows Vista is the Windows ME (I kinda like ME), which lead to the better Windows 7.