Vista Service Pack 2 CPP

DavidGP · Dec 4, 2008

Just when you thought it was safe to dip your toes into the operating system waters and settle down with Vista Service Pack 1, well hot on its heals is Service Pack 2, which has been for MSDN and TechNet subscribers available for download from 2nd December, and for the general public will be available from today 4th December today!

As usual do be warned that this is a beta build and not final version so bugs maybe present, so installing is on your own head, but do make a backup of your PC before install if you are to try it out, so far I've not had any issues in last 2 months of using it.

Windows Vista SP2 builds on the solid foundation laid by Windows Vista SP1. The incremental improvements provided in SP2 come primarily from the feedback we have received from customers and partners. In addition to all previously released updates, SP2 will contain changes focused on addressing reliability and performance issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards

Emerging Hardware Support

SP2 contains Blue tooth 2.1 feature pack supporting the most recent specification for Blue tooth technology

Ability to record data on Blu-Ray media,

Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi Configuration to Windows Vista SP2,

exFAT file system now supports UTC timestamps, which enables correct file synchronization across time zones.

SP2 provides support for new form factors, such as ICCD/CCID. new form factor support --example USB form factor as opposed to PCMCIA).

Support for the new VIA 64-bit CPU

Security

SP2 includes all previously released security updates, and builds on the proven security benefits of Windows Vista

Secure Development Lifecycle process updates, where we identify the root cause of each security bulletin and improve our internal tools to eliminate code patterns that could lead to future vulnerabilities

Reliability

SP2 addresses previously released reliability updates, as well as addressing crashes, caused by Microsoft code, discovered since the launch of SP1

Performance

Resume performance when Wi-Fi connection is no longer available after resume from sleep

Inclusion of Windows Search 4 for improved indexing performance, improved relevancy in search, broader indexing scenario inclusion, as well as new Group Policy integration for Windows Search,

Improvements to the RSS feeds sidebar gadget to improve update performance and responsiveness,

Application Compatibility

It is our goal that applications that run on the Windows Vista Operating System today and are written using public APIs will continue to work as designed on Windows Vista SP2.

Previously released Application Compatibility updates are included in Windows Vista SP2.

Spysweeper and ZoneAlarm now working with POP3 email accounts

Administration and Support Improvements

Customers installing .net framework 3.5 service pack 1 will notice shorter download and installation times with Vista service pack 2 or Windows 2008 service pack 2 already installed,

Service Pack Clean up tool (Compcln.exe): This tool helps restore the hard disk space by permanently deleting the previous versions of the files (RTM & SP1) that are being serviced by Service Pack 2.

Single installer for both Vista & Server 2008

Ability to detect an incompatible driver and block service pack installation or warn users of any loss of functionality

Better error handling and providing more descriptive error messages where possible

Better manageability through logging in system event log

Componentization for Serviceability of the installer

Some Specific Fixes/Additions Include:

Event logging support in SPC

DNS Server now listens over ISATAP address

Fixes DRM issues from WMP upgrades

Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless

Reduction of resources required for sidebar gadgets

Improved power settings for WS08

Click to expand...

This CPP (Customer Preview Program) is being launched on TechNet, at this point of posting the links for download are not live but should be later on, so do check back.

Download

*download links are under Key Resources > Non Subscribers ~ IF you are a MSDN or TechNet subscriber login to your account and download is listed in your downloads list.

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Vista Service Pack 2 CPP

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

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Vista Service Pack 2 CPP

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

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