Windows Vista pre-beta SP1 hitting the web?

Whispers that Redmond certainly can't be pleased about hearing are beginning to gain traction all over the 'net, as more and more individuals claim that they have Vista's Service Pack 1 pre-beta in their possession. Reportedly, the 6001.16549 build "sounds like it's the real deal," and could be the version that Microsoft has been "trickling out to more and more testers over the past few weeks." Of course, we aren't likely to hear anything one way or another from Microsoft, as the last tidbit that was let loose by it contained the phrase "not anytime soon." But as proven by the Vista Performance and Reliability Pack that just recently found its way into public hands before its intended release date, there's always a chance for leaks. So, dear readers, have any of you stumbled upon a pre-release version of the much-anticipated update?

[Via ZDNet, thanks Mark]

[John Doe @ Aug 7th 2007 7:15PM]

Umm pre-beta....Ummm wouldn't that be Alpha SP1?

[Ender @ Aug 7th 2007 7:17PM]

Heh, 16549. Not even close. The actual SP1 versions will be more like 6001.166xx. I was working with 166xx versions a month ago at MS.

[Dylan @ Aug 7th 2007 7:22PM]

Downloaded the service pack earlier today, Ive yet to see if it works, will let you know!

[w00fd06 @ Aug 7th 2007 7:23PM]

Finally, now, we just need to wait, for the beta SP1, then for SP1, then for pre-beta SP2, then for beta SP2, then for SP2, then for Vienna. Shouldn't take too long, i still love MS though for trying.

[Dinraj @ Aug 7th 2007 7:48PM]

Its obviously not meant for you. We'll let you know when's its released, you may download it then.

[fischju @ Aug 7th 2007 7:27PM]

Don't download it.....way too many problems. That's why they call it an Alpha. It messes with your networks really bad.

[joseraulnova @ Aug 7th 2007 7:28PM]

Bout Time...

[dudeInAmerica @ Aug 7th 2007 7:39PM]

Why the hell would anyone want to use a Beta Service Pack?!?

[turtlesoup @ Aug 7th 2007 8:21PM]

Why not? They're already using a beta OS.

[CaptCaveman @ Aug 7th 2007 11:06PM]

Not only a beta service pack, but a pirated one at that.
Are they that bored?

[Totalfixation @ Aug 7th 2007 7:41PM]

I wonder if this will prevent people who have the cracked versions from upgrading? oh well for the first time I own 4 legit version of vista.

[mike @ Aug 7th 2007 7:52PM]

I think ill wait tell the final release before i download.

[kettch @ Aug 7th 2007 7:52PM]

The performance:
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=938979

and reliability:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938194

patches are both official, non-beta releases. They will obviously be included in sp1, but are being released standalone as well.

Updates that will be included in the next service pack are often labeled with the name of that service pack, and sometimes a "pre" designator.

[Joel Purvis @ Aug 7th 2007 8:15PM]

Thanks for the links. These are the official version of the Vista Performance and Reliability Pack mentioned in the story. If you installed the leaked version, you already have these. No need to install them again.

[kettch @ Aug 7th 2007 8:22PM]

I'm not even sure where the "leaked" ones came from. I saw them on Microsoft Connect (Beta testers site) about the time the blogosphere was wetting itself over finding out about "secret" updates. Connect isn't intended to be some sort of super secret vault.

[Barron @ Aug 7th 2007 8:33PM]

Why doesn't my computer automatically fetch these when I run Windows Update?

[kettch @ Aug 7th 2007 8:46PM]

They haven't released these to be downloaded via Microsoft Update. At this point, it's unclear whether it will be, or if we will have to wait until SP1.

The files that you can download are official Microsoft Update packages. It's safe if you download and install them yourself. To be cautious I would install one, reboot, install the other, and reboot again.

[chadwick @ Aug 7th 2007 11:19PM]

With these updates "about windows" still displays version 6000 im guessing the about windows image engadget is using is photoshopped

[Thomas @ Aug 8th 2007 1:28AM]

These will both show up on Windows Update on August 14th. They did not want to interrupt their Tuesday update cycle.

[Grammar freak @ Aug 7th 2007 8:24PM]

I just wanna get CoD2 multiplayer working under my vista..

[lyl545646 @ Aug 7th 2007 9:20PM]

ah...yeah you can...

right click on the game icon, then properties, then compatibility tab, choose XP SP2 and also check Disable desktop composition...

all set...enjoy

[Grammar freak @ Aug 7th 2007 9:40PM]

Nope.. I have desktop comp disabled, XPSP2 compatibility mode, Run as Admin all selected, and still no joy.

[lyl545646 @ Aug 7th 2007 10:04PM]

hmmm...weird...it works perfectly on my laptop...
probably some weird problems with DX9. I used to be able to run the game under DX9, now that I'm using a modded driver, the game just crashes...however, the game runs perfectly under DX7...

[Juaquin @ Aug 7th 2007 10:47PM]

I have the same problem with BF2142. For some people, doing those things makes it work, for others like us it doesn't. Hopefully SP1 will address gaming issues.

[Denis @ Aug 8th 2007 10:45PM]

Strange, I play COD2 multiplayer just about every night on Vista.... What type of problems are you having?

[Tony B. @ Aug 8th 2007 6:14AM]

Do you have a clean install of Vista or upgrade? My clean install had no probs running CoD2 in compat. mode. MY upgrade was a bit "gummy" So I re-istalled it as a clean install and everything works like a charm. Also if you have Vista 64bit, you'll get boned.

[Grammar freak @ Aug 8th 2007 9:17AM]

Hmm, well I upgraded from home basic to (i think) home premium. But I thought that I had done a complete reinstall. Maybe I installed basic, then did the upgrade. Either way, it's bush league that this is happening. Next computer: imac?

[strider_mt2k @ Aug 7th 2007 8:41PM]

I'd like to thank Vista for opening my eyes.

-to the awesome world of Ubuntu Linux!

Thanks for pushing me over the edge you bloated POS...OS!

[Ruben @ Aug 7th 2007 9:03PM]

Hope you enjoy playing Crysis on your un-bloated OS, or for that matter, any major game that is being released.

[strider_mt2k @ Aug 7th 2007 9:43PM]

As if.

[keepevets @ Aug 8th 2007 8:22AM]

cedega

[keepevets @ Aug 8th 2007 8:24AM]

and yes, i also thank vista for the exact same reason, there is no comparison between beryl and aero

[strider_mt2k @ Aug 7th 2007 8:43PM]

test

[strider_mt2k @ Aug 7th 2007 8:44PM]

Sorry about that. Internet Explorer crashed.

Go figure.

[energyvortex @ Aug 7th 2007 9:30PM]

I'ma laugh my ass off at all the people who install this alpha/internal test build, and start bitching about how 'M$ suqz' when it timebombs

/gets the popcorn

[strider_mt2k @ Aug 7th 2007 9:42PM]

Careful, the MS goons are giving anyone with an alternate opinion the bad votes tonight.

-as if it changes anything. LOL!

[Ian @ Aug 8th 2007 12:49AM]

i love how you all freak out about leaked about leaked alpha software. I use ubuntu and I've been using the next version (Gutsy) since the repos first opened (like a week after feisty came out). I am using software in April that comes out in October, and it is virus free and doesn't crash, also totally free, hmm....

[jtc970 @ Aug 8th 2007 2:53AM]

Good for you!
Let me know how Photoshop works on that.

[Blakamin @ Aug 8th 2007 2:55AM]

aren't you special.....

[TonyB @ Aug 8th 2007 6:16AM]

Yippie Skippy Big Boy!!!!!!

[badarthur2003 @ Aug 8th 2007 10:15AM]

The Guru has 32 and 64bit version's or it=go get it guy's

[raj20078 @ Oct 28th 2007 2:25PM]

please please please give me link of windows seven beta(alpha) buil 2022 or new one please