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January 22, 2009

Windows Vista SP2 release date slips

Service pack expected in Q2

Gregg Keizer

Microsoft has delayed Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) by at least a month, and will now ship it to manufacturing sometime in May or June, according to a website that has accurately predicted Windows release dates in the past.

TechARP.com, a Malaysian website that correctly predicted the release dates for Windows Vista SP1 and XP SP3 in 2008, said that Microsoft will deliver a release candidate - the final test version - of Vista SP2 in March, a month later than the site had predicted earlier. Also, Microsoft will send the service pack to OEMs and out for retail copy duplication at some point in the second quarter of 2009, not in April as originally thought.

Windows Vista SP2 will be released for download from the web at an undetermined date after Microsoft ships the service pack to OEMs. In the past, Microsoft has had both short and long lag times between the two dates.



Windows XP SP3, for example, was rel4eased to manufacturing on April 21 2008 , and offered for download on May 6, about two weeks later. With Vista SP1, however, it waited about six weeks after sending the update to manufacturing before it let the general public download the service pack.

Inserted into the Vista SP2 schedule, said TechARP, is something Microsoft's calling a "release candidate escrow build". According to the site, an escrow build is a version on which development has stopped, but is handed to developers and testers, who are asked to test the code one final time to make sure there are no major bugs.

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Elsewhere, TechARP also said that computer makers will not be required to use Vista SP2 on new hardware, as is usually the case when the Microsoft releases a major update, such as a service pack. "OEMs will not be compelled to ship their systems with the new builds, which would have required extensive work [such as] tests, implementation and logistics," said TechARP. "They are also not required to send their customers the Service Pack 2 upgrades."

TechARP speculated that Microsoft will make Vista SP2 optional for OEMs because Windows 7, Vista's successor, may be hard on its heels. "Many OEMs are probably hesitant about spending more money and [putting more] effort into qualifying the new builds with their products, especially in light of the current economic situation," said the site. "So the onus will be on the consumer to update their Windows Vista via Windows Update."

Microsoft issued the first public beta of Windows 7 on January 10, but as of yet, has not set a timetable for the new operating system's release, other than to say it will hit the street by early next year.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to questions about Vista SP2's timetable.

Computerworld US

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Comments received


Anthony said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Remind me again....and the difference between Vista and Windows 7 will be????????

Pete said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Same gene pool, slightly different physiognomy, like non-identical twins. But those who've waited for Windows 7 whilst indulging in fashionable Vista bashing will swear they're completely different in order to save face.

Anthony said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Remind me again....and the difference between Vista and Windows 7 will be????????

Skidz said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Remind me again....and the difference between Vista and Windows 7 will be????????

About 120 quid !!! And not much else.

uk said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

There both the same just windows 7 has been given a lick of paint and a few performance tweeks. Not much difference though, still I am glad i didnt get Vista as when i get a new pc with windows 7 on it i wont have had all the driver woes and compatibility problems all the people did who try to keep up with the technology - I always buy a year and half behind everyone else to get same kit at half price.I dont have money to waste.

Ian said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

When I bought my Vista laptop I was able to start using my old printer again (which worked fine with 95, 98, Millennium, and Ubuntu but not XP) - that's the only "driver issue" I've ever had.

Like uk I'd guess that Vista 2 - sorry Windows 7 - will be ready for release about 12-18 months after it's released! Much like any other Microsoft product then. It was true of Vista and before that it was true of XP (wasn't there an urgent security update for that one within 10 days of release - which is surprising for the "most secure OS ever"?), as I remember 95b was great ... So I guess Windows 7.1 or whatever they call it will be fine too.

G said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

uk: "They're" not "there" ... perhaps you should get an education before you spend more money on a PC.

Secondly, have you tried the Windows 7 Beta or Windows Vista? Apparently not, since you, "always buy a year and a half behind". Perhaps you should buy some "NEW" hardware to try with "NEW" software.

Condom said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Better to get it right than issue a buggy SP. I wish they had done the same for Messenger 9 which has just lost all my contacts. Quick revert to version 8.5 got them back again.

Sarah said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

I LOVE VISTA!!!!!

Sarah said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Please hurry up with vista service pack 2 because I like vista. Haw)))))))

Graham. said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

uk is just showing his age. They're not taught these things now.

Her0 said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Secondly, have you tried the Windows 7 Beta or Windows Vista?

Yes i used both , and they both appear the same uner the hood ,albeit 7 has a few minor tweaks. Neither one appeals to me however. They lost the plot after XP. Its like Millenium Ed all over again.
Sucks.

tricky said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Ho hum, more Windows already. What a short life Vista has had.

Roberttrebor said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Probably due to all those test SP2-Beta got fed up with it being naff & have move to Windows 7 - beta.
I HAVE, although there is a bit of a flaw with Adobe Acrobat reader, it crashes when you want to print. Or it tries to continually update the webpage.
Installing the printer was the easiest ever for an OS installed in less than 60 seconds, it searched my home network, found the printer & installed a driver.
Pity everything could not be like this.

Jim Tw said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

I love it when Vista goes into one of its wait til it does anything loops. Like trying to open the computer icon and view the hard-drives on my machine. That turning round circle just makes my day. Gives me time to reflect on the meaning of life whilst all around me are chasing deadlines and such stuff. :) Pure poetry in no motion!

Skidz said on Thursday, 22 January 2009

Jim Tw

LOL.. yeah and if you did it in XP it would be done in seconds rather than ages. Vista does indeed Suck Her0. !

John said on Friday, 23 January 2009

We had enough trouble and still have, with Vista Loaded with rubbish that you cannot get rid of because of obscure descriptions that prevent disablement...Takes a long time to load up..and is still slow..Why have another load of problems forced upon us when purchasing a new platform?

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