Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) is set to be released as a public beta today. Many will be asking "Should I upgrade to Vista SP2?".
New Service Pack features explained
However, it's a fairly significant upgrade and is not for everyone. Here's what you need to know before making the upgrade.
SP2 beta is, as the name suggests, a product still under development. Microsoft is recommending only "technology enthusiasts, developers, and IT pros" willing to test the software take on the upgrade.
General users are advised to wait until the final release, which is set for the first half of 2009. Some unofficial reports indicate it is being targeted for an April completion.
Windows Vista SP2 includes numerous changes to the Vista operating system. Here are some of the highlights of what it'll do for you if you upgrade to Vista SP2:
- Let you record data onto Blu-ray discs
- Add into your system Vista Feature Pack For Wireless, which provides support for the latest Bluetooth technology - Bluetooth v2.1 - as well as for the Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi protocol
- Give you better Wi-Fi performance when you're exiting Vista's sleep mode
- Make your RSS feeds sidebar gadget work faster and better
- Give you the latest desktop search engine, Windows Search 4
- Cut down the resources it takes to run your various sidebar gadgets
- It'll give your OS an overall tune-up, too.
The Vista Service Pack 2 upgrade will also deliver some under-the-hood improvements, which will:
- Give your computer support for VIA Technologies' new 64-bit CPU
- Let your system support exFAT, which can handle larger files and can also use UTC timestamps so you can synchronise files across different time zones
- Boost your power management efficiency by as much as 10 percent
Comments
Jamie said: So far so good I did the beta update yesterday and everything seems fine Quad core 64 bit Vista Ultimate I did notice sidebar came in faster upon reboot
Jurgen said: Vista is a flop and by all account Windows 7 is not much of an improvement either So is this two of three strikes and your out for Microsoft
Skidz said: Poiti could run Vista fast many times over with my super Pc but point is no matter how many updates they throw at it its never going to be any good Thats why Windows 7 is being rushed out not that that looks promising either
Richie said: Anyone tried it yet
Poit said: Its a Vista news item so in come the fools who cant accept that theres an awful lot of peopl out here who have systems that can run Vista very well and find XP to be old fashioned and clunky
Skidz said: RichieMake a backup with Acronis true Image beforehand Youll be alright
richie said: If you dont use Vista then dont bother commenting no one wants to hear itAs for us that do then I will probably wait for the RC release for SP2 Betas are always risky and I cant be bothered restoring my PC if it goes wrong
DKS21 said: There is one flaw its Vista
Matt said: Hmm i think i might just leave it say a week just incase any flaws pop up out of no where
Catweazle said: Dear oh dear with the debatable exception of 64 bit VIA support what a list of dreary marginal grasping-at-straws benefits of Vista SP2 Does the package say what is the decrease in resources it will consume And how much faster overall it will be No I wonder why And why call SP2 an upgrade It isnt Its a patch If you want to upgrade Vista then upgrade to XP A far more sensible choice
Tris said: Like most Microsoft Service Packs the SP2 upgrade wont work on your system if you havent already installed SP1Errm every service pack released by Microsoft has had all the fixes from all prior service packs rolled ineg sp3 for xp can be installed on xp gold no incremental patching neededI cant see this one being different
andy said: are those features being gradually added anyway the Windows Search 4 is already here
Here's another one: said: Windows Server 2003 x64 and XP x64 They have the same Service Packs
tricky said: Think Ill give it a couple of months after release before installing
Guy McNeill said: No this is not the first Windows Service Pack to work for both the client Vista and server Windows 2008 editions of the operating system in a single update as mentioned in SP1 Review on page 2 REMEMBER WINDOWS 2000 Pro and Server editions shared ALL of the SAME Service Packs Author please do more research