Posted 06/01/09 at 04:37:30 PM by Andy Salisbury

Just last week Microsoft released SP2 for Windows Vista, and it would appear that many users of the update have noticed some massive changes in their free disk space.

Now, when I say ‘massive changes’ I’m not just talking about 500MB here or there, but there have been reported cases of people freeing 40GB and more. One user wrote on PC World’s forums, “Wow! I didn't notice that til now. I went from about 88GB free to 122GB free. That's a significant change 'under the hood,' isn't it?” The biggest recorded case was another user that managed to regain 130GB.

Vista SP2 includes a command-line cleanup tool (compcln.exe) that is used to remove older system files and restore points, therefore freeing up space. Many think that the SP2 installer automatically runs this, but there’s been no official confirmation from Microsoft.

Have you installed SP2, and if so, have you regained any of your hard drive space? If so, let us know!

Read More

Posted 04/30/09 at 05:32:27 PM by Andy Salisbury

At long last, Microsoft has confirmed that Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 is complete, by releasing it to select manufacturers. It even hit torrents, hours before it was officially announced on the Windows Vista Team Blog.

As for an official download, it’s not clear when Service Pack 2 will be available. They’ve stated that they will push the final version to customers through Automatic Update over the next few months, but those that aren’t ready can still use Microsoft’s service-pack blocking tool.

Along with this, Microsoft has started pushing Vista SP1 to users that had previously blocked it, in order to prime them for SP2.

For those wondering, Service Pack 2 will bring Windows Search 4.0, the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack, the ability to record data on Blu-ray natively through Windows, Windows Connect Now (a simpler WiFi tool), the addition of support for UTC timestamps in the exFAT file system, as well as various security and performance updates.

Read More

Posted 02/20/09 at 08:17:21 PM by Mark Edward Soper

If you're on the Microsoft Connect testing list for Windows Vista SP2 or Windows Server 2008 SP2, Redmond has just rung the "come and get it" bell - SP2 RC (the same package upgrades both Vista SP1 and Windows Server) was released to MS Connect testers yesterday, Ars Technica reports.

So, what's special about SP2 RC? Some highlights include:

• Support for VIA's 64-bit CPU
• Integration of the Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless, including support for Bluetooth 2.1
• Support for writing to Blu-ray media
• Integration of Windows Search 4.0
• Better and more secure installation experience
• Over 690 hotfixes 

If you're not among the fortunate few testing Vista SP2 RC, what should you be doing until you can try it? For our suggestions, as well as an early comparison with Vista RC1 (not to mention your chance to sound off), join us after the jump. 

Read More

Posted 12/04/08 at 04:27:01 PM by Mark Edward Soper

ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley has the goods on what's coming in Windows Vista SP2. In addition to the new features we told you about earlier this week, look for improvements in:

• Hardware support for new form factors and the new VIA 64-bit CPU
• Security improvements
• Reliability and performance improvements in resume and RSS feeds sidebar
• Fewer resources needed for sidebar gadgets
• Better support for Spysweeper and Zone Alarm
• Compcln.exe removes outdated files when they are replaced by SP2
• Better handling of errors, incompatible hardware warnings, and system event logs
• Fixes DRM problems caused by updates to Windows Media Player

Wondering about "missing" features like Hyper-V virtualization? Join us after the jump to find out why Vista SP2's not just for Vista, and for your chance to sound off.

Read More

Posted 12/02/08 at 04:12:28 PM by Mark Edward Soper

The Malaysian website Tech ARP, which previously figured out the release schedule for Windows Vista SP1 and Windows XP SP3, has looked into its crystal ball again and predicts Vista SP2 will be released to manufacturing in April 2009. First, though, a release candidate (RC) will be released in February.

So, what will be the big attractions in Vista SP2?

• Windows Search 4.0
• Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack
• Native Blu-Ray recording
• Windows Connect Now support for easier Wi-Fi connections
• UTC timestamp support in the exFAT file system to enable correct file synchronization across timezones

Keep in mind that Vista SP2 will only install on systems running Vista SP1.

Some users wonder if Vista SP2 is coming too quickly after the release of Vista SP1. To find out how the release schedule for Vista SP2 compares to other service pack releases for past Windows versions, and for your chance to comment, join us after the break.

Read More

Posted 11/24/08 at 05:07:04 PM by Andy Salisbury

There’s been some loose talk of Microsoft looking to release Service Pack 2 for Vista just as soon as they can. They’ve been reportedly rushing it so that there will be more incentive for people to buy Vista, instead of just waiting for Windows 7.

According to some inside sources, a release candidate for SP2 will be available in February 2009, with the final version scheduled for release to manufacturing in April 2009. When a version is labeled as RTM it’s not always available for download, but it has been put out in disc form, including OEMs.

Following suit with pervious service packs, it’s expected that Microsoft will release Vista’s SP2 in language waves. The previous service packs give us reason to believe that the English, German, Japanese, French and Spanish versions will be the first available, with Chinese, Korean and Brazilian Portuguese available not long after.

Read More

Posted 10/27/08 at 01:20:16 PM by Paul Lilly

The race is still on to see which will come out first - Vista's second Service Pack, or Windows 7 - but when it comes to beta releases, you needn't wait long. In a blog post, Microsoft said Vista's SP2 will begin beta testing this week.

"Following the success of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 last spring, we have been working hard on Windows Vista Service Pack 2," writes Mike Nash, corporate VP for Microsoft's Windows Product Management. "As part of the development and testing process, we're going to start by providing a small group of Technology Adoption Program customers with Windows Vista SP2 Beta for evaluation next Wednesday, October 29."

Nash goes on to say that SP2 will incorporate both previously released fixes and unreleased updates into a single serviceability model covering both Windows Vista (client) and Windows Server 2008 (server) versions. A big focus on SP2 will be on improving hardware support as well as "adding support for several emerging standards." Some of the changes include:

• Adding Windows Search 4.0
• Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack
• Record data on Blu-ray media natively
• Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) for easier WiFi configs
• Enables the exFAT file system

No date has yet been set for the final release.

Read More

Posted 10/16/08 at 10:18:48 AM by Paul Lilly

It seems as though many enthusiasts are biding their time with Vista and have already begun looking forward to Windows 7. In some respects, so has Microsoft, who doesn't need much coaxing to talk about the new OS, whether it be about the refined UAC experience or explaining where the Windows 7 naming scheme comes from. But that doesn't mean Vista's being kicked to the curb.

On the contrary, it looks as though Vista's second Service Pack will make a debut before Windows 7, suggests ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley. According to Foley, select hardware and software partners have already received a beta of SP2, and while the murmurs are unusually quiet regarding what the new Service Pack will bring, Foley's sources have indicated that Microsoft's goal is to deliver SP2 before Windows 7 in an attempt to lessen confusion among users mulling whether to deploy Vista or wait for the new OS. And what does Microsoft have to say on the matter?

"Microsoft is working on a second Windows Vista Service Pack (Windows Vista SP2) and will share more details in the coming months," a Vista spokesperson wrote.

Hit the jump and let us know what you're most looking forward to: Windows 7 or Vista SP2.

Read More