Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Build 16489

Microsoft has begun testing Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) and intends to ship this release in the second quarter of 2009. Note that there are no new features in SP2; this is a more typical service pack that aggregates previously-released fixes. Here are some screenshots from the first external build of SP2, build 16489.

Read more at the source.










Later Ted

 

[hclarkjr]

also the half open TCP connection limit has been eliminated with SP2 How to enable the half-open TCP connections limit in Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 and in Windows Server 2008 with Service Pack 2 you no longer have to patch it

 

[Everlong]

there is a performance increase with it and there are some things added to make it worthwhile

I've noticed a few things open a bit quicker, especially WMP. Pre-SP2 when I tried to play a song, it would open WMP, but nothing would happen for about 20-25 seconds, but it seems fine now.

 

[Night Hawk]

If all the updated are installed since SP1 and all is well, why update to SP2?

Any large service pack is a little bit more then simply a rlarge oll up of updates. Often it will enable support or lift restrictions for other things seeing it's own fixes there and not found separately. In fact if you look back at XP most newer programs automatically require SP2 be installed on the older version there. Newer softwares still XP capable may start seeing SP3 requirements at some point as well.

Originally for Vista's SP1 there it was some 316mb in size for the standalone download available seeing a large 96mb service pack mixed in with the roll up of the latest individual security fixes and other updates. The size factor makes that a totally separate item from the usual small updates there as well as any new tweaks and fixes not seen in the regular updates.

 

[S.SubZero]

If all the updated are installed since SP1 and all is well, why update to SP2?

Vista SP2: Six Things You Need to Know - PC World

Review that five month old article.

While SP2 includes a roll-up of previously released fixes, it also has some new functionality and things specific to the service pack.

 

[Night Hawk]

Regarding SP2 here's another good one a little newer while being off on the date a little bit for SP2's release. Vista RTM vs Vista SP2 - Improvements and progress - Softpedia

And an MS blog will add further. http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/wi...m-windows-vista-sp1-blocker-tool-removed.aspx

 

[ShArKy]

where is a link to get this sp2?

 

[Night Hawk]

You have to be an MSDN or Technet Plus paid subscriber at the present time until the service pack is made generally available probably in early June if not sooner. It's already been released RTM to manufacturers which means the usual wait a month is being seen for the rest of us.

 

[Ex_Brit]

If all the updated are installed since SP1 and all is well, why update to SP2?

In addition to what has already been said, like all Service Packs, eventually future security updates will depend on it being installed. (For instance future updates for XP rely on SP2 being installed, and soon that will have to be SP3).

These SP's are never "just a bunch of updates", they always contain other important modifications, fixes, changes etc.

 

[ripbox]

If all the updated are installed since SP1 and all is well, why update to SP2?

In addition to what has already been said, like all Service Packs, eventually future security updates will depend on it being installed. (For instance future updates for XP rely on SP2 being installed, and soon that will have to be SP3).

These SP's are never "just a bunch of updates", they always contain other important modifications, fixes, changes etc.

To back up this... also New software can and most likely will require said service pack to run or even install

If Microsoft spent all day typing out every little change, fix or other update put into a service pack then the list would be huge and would be wasting time of developers ect for the next set of fixes ect thus only big important and major fixes will be listed

Smaller things in a service pack could be a made change to the kernel, in which you and many others including me would have no meaning/understanding to us but would make a dramatic impact to the way the OS uses our system resources such as ram and processor so on and so forth

Dont be fooled by some exentric paranoid friend who will lead you to belive updates and service packs are un nessisary bloatware or other

think of an update like upgrading a car... put some nice new shiny Alloys on, not only does it feels good, iroves performance lightens the car(if you had steel rims) although you wont notice much it does improve things a lot

 

[cj_london]

You have to be an MSDN or Technet Plus paid subscriber at the present time until the service pack is made generally available probably in early June if not sooner. It's already been released RTM to manufacturers which means the usual wait a month is being seen for the rest of us.

As I think I said before, what manufacturer is going to go to the bother of releasing and marketing a Vista SP2 PC when they'll be getting Windows 7 in about 4 months from now in time for the holiday season.

I can't see any demand for an 'RTM-only' period, or any reason why MS should hold back on releasing Vista SP2 via Windows Update.

'RTM' is just a label - it doesn't mean they HAVE to release it to manufacturers any earlier than on Windows Update; it's finalised after all and it's not going to change.

 

[Night Hawk]

You have to be an MSDN or Technet Plus paid subscriber at the present time until the service pack is made generally available probably in early June if not sooner. It's already been released RTM to manufacturers which means the usual wait a month is being seen for the rest of us.

As I think I said before, what manufacturer is going to go to the bother of releasing and marketing a Vista SP2 PC when they'll be getting Windows 7 in about 4 months from now in time for the holiday season.

I can't see any demand for an 'RTM-only' period, or any reason why MS should hold back on releasing Vista SP2 via Windows Update.

'RTM' is just a label - it doesn't mean they HAVE to release it to manufacturers any earlier than on Windows Update; it's finalised after all and it's not going to change.

MS has already released SP2 to manufacturers since they will still be selling new systems with Vista installed upto and even after 7 is final. After Vista's release you could still find new systems seeing XP preinstalled. Dell offered the choice of OS when ordering new machines shortly after Vista's release in order to boost sales once Vista started seeing the initial complaints.

As previously announced by MS any new system system bought after July 1st will see the free upgrade to 7 offer available. With 7 going out in August new machines seeing 7 on them won't be on the store shelves until late October.

 

[pacinitaly]

thank you all for all the great info.

 

[Night Hawk]

I've been waiting here all this time running the SP2 beta since that was first seen back in December. I'll be looking to get the final SP2 on once available here.

 

[Fastboy42]

I've got mine going

 

[Night Hawk]

Apparently SP 2 will be seen at the MS update on thursday! I knew it wouldn't be long after it was seen at Technet and MSDN.

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or SP2

TechNet, MSDN subscribers get service pack today; it goes to Windows Update Thursday Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or SP2

 

[Joan Archer]

Don't forget to alter it in your System Specs Fastboy42, you're still showing as having SP1.

 

[Daveski17]

Well, I just got SP 2. It took an hour & 15 minutes altogether. OK, fine....so what does it do then?

 

[The Cool Guy]

Hey,
The Official SP2 is now available through Windows Update........check it out now

 

[roy69]

Just downloaded SP2 on WU and everything seems fine. If you did download the beta or RC first dont forget to uninstall it. The KB to uninstall is KB948465

 

[Daveski17]

Hey,
The Official SP2 is now available through Windows Update........check it out now

That's what I meant to say. I waited until the update release.