Windows Vista SP1 (release candidate) publicly available
By Ryan Block 
posted Dec 12th 2007 2:19AM
posted Dec 12th 2007 2:19AM
P.S. -How big is this download really? The installer's under 400k, but we're still trying to find the big kahuna offline update package. Hit us up in comments.
[Thanks, Michael]
Big deal; who cares?
Reply abuse, but these are the filesizes for Vista SP1 (at least estimates from MS for the final)
Standalone Package: About 450 MB (5 Language package) About 550 MB (Full 36 language package)
Windows Update: About 65 MB
Source: Notable_Changes_in_Windows_Vista_SP1_ Release _Candidate.doc @ http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e71f0083-1013-4f9c-a3f9-c56e7120a5e9&DisplayLang=en
Reply abuse also on file sizes. That document is correct for 32-bit, but not 64...here are the sizes listed in TechNet (have to have an account to log into see them)
32-bit Eng,Ger,Fren,Jap,Span: 436MB
32-bit Multilanguage: 549MB
64-bit Eng,Ger,Fren,Jap,Span: 733MB
64-bit Multilanguage: 879MB
There are already full ISOs available too with the SP pre-installed.
Billy Fuil, you can't be serious can you??
People with Vista care. If you don't care, don't comment.
Billy, first the worst.
People who don't live in their parents basement and subscribe to a million RSS feeds to sites like this so they can be the first, after 2 a.m., to post a comment devoid of any information.
This is just the Release Candidate though
Engadget should probably post these notes from the "Before You Install" document for users reading the site that don't know better:
• This is pre-release code and will change before the final release. Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate is for individuals, organizations, and technical enthusiasts who are comfortable evaluating pre-release software. This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you have a backup of your data prior to installing any pre-release software.
• Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate is Time-Limited software. It will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date. Note: After installation your desktop will show the text “Evaluation Copy”. This does not mean that your system is no longer “Genuine”. It means that you have installed a test version of software which is time-limited.
• If you install the Service Pack 1 Release Candidate, it is strongly recommended that you also plan to install the final version of Windows Vista SP1 when it is released in the first quarter of 2008. To do this, you will be required to uninstall this pre-release code.
Bah, I just wasted 1gig of bandwidth. The waiting continued until next year.
But will it...
Whoops, software can't blend!
Metaphorically speaking, you could, of course.
Well, Halo3 did blend!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIakPZ0DJjg
And btw - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NeR2LyILWQ - Vista blends well in "IT infrastructure" ^_^
Technically, it didn't. It just shattered. In order for it to blend, it would have to be able to mix with something to a point where you cannot distinguish the separate parts. The only way to do that is to put it in something that will mask the CD's physical properties or mix it with similar properties. And that's not technically blending. So no, it did not blend.
Are you kidding? For one, Microsoft wouldn't allow it's software to blend with anything else. Where's the money in that? Monkey boy still doesn't have as much money as Bill and he wants to get paid.
A "certified for Windows Vista" blender maybe?
yea, is this the actual SP1 or just a release candidate?
Windows Vista SP1 !!!!!(release candidate)!!!! publicly available
not that hard ha?
Will it make Vista play DOOM?
... or anything else for that matter... *shakes head*
yes
wait, will it MAKE vista play doom?
I can understand allowing vista to play doom, but does this service pack force the doom engine to keep running in the background, behind the desktop?
Doom keeps on playing on the taskbar!! It better dang it!! It is the least Microsoft can do after a year of shoddy driver support.
DOOM 4 EVA!
Now I might get it. IMHO, never upgrade a Windows OS until SP1 and an Apple OS until 10.X.3+.
crikey you fruit loop. Its a home PC not an MOD missile controlling mega computer..
MS was caught many times releases SPs just to make look that its software would run OK.
Was a case (and experienced firsthand) for some releases of M$Office.
@Ihar
I like your use of the dollar sign where it replaces the 'S'. Very clever. Did you think of it all by yourself?
ITS OVER NINE THOUSAND!!!!! kbs that is... its under 600mb though.
Funny.
Whats a "release candidate?"
Pretty much like the brain YOU got, it is a Release Candidate, not the actual brain...
I'll not be a jerk and actually tell you, its a version of the software that has no major bugs and is likely to be the final release unless anything big turns up, as far as I understand it.
It wasn't about being a jerk, it's just that his brain is still in beta....
Phil? No major bugs? We ARE talking Microsoft here aren't we?
I have a strong feeling that Vista RTM is actually the true RC1, and Vista SP1 will bring it up to a RC2.
Once we get to SP2 it will be in an actual, final, state. Just like XP.
No it is not 'just like the final version'.
The final version of SP1 won't make you uninstall it at anytime (unless you don't want it).
The RC1 version of SP1 *SHOULD* be uninstalled before applying the final SP1. It's test software.
AKA not for the wife's computer, I really don't want to have to figure out the new bugs they added.
The offline 5 language update packages are available here:
5 Lang x86: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fa54665-7716-47d9-b9b7-5cfdf71198cb&DisplayLang=en
5 Lang x64: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=88128a77-6107-46df-89d8-b93c248496e3&DisplayLang=en
Cool, thanks.
And the offline All language update packages are available here:
All Lang x86: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=be34577a-e925-48fb-9d6d-50fe9461f808&DisplayLang=en
All Lang x64:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c21c3978-3b7d-4d64-873b-3c9d26982d7a&DisplayLang=en
So if I update now, will it affect SP1's official release or is this the same exact software?
--James
Anyone know if this will effect my activation"
I'm not running a legit vista but i managed to get it activated
It's supposed to fuck up installs using the OEM hack or the Timerstop hack.
Lol for being too honest. I guessed you will have to wait and see.
Windows Vista SP1 to Disable Activation Exploits
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2227513,00.asp
I can see all the Apple Fanboys going nuts over this...
"See I told you M$ (Note how Microsoft is spelled) copies everything from Apple"
"Ummm, Like how?"
"You know Apple really got back to all those numbnuts who "illegally" unlocked their iPhones by bricking their iPhones with update 1.1.1 Well Microsoft just copied this feature. Now they are bricking all the PCs where users are "illegally" activating their Vista"
Go ahead, give it a shot... what have you got to lose, right? Money spent on the OS? Oh right...
(Double posted, for clarity.)
Also coming with SP1 but not in the current release candidate, we
will also be including updates that deal with two exploits we have
seen, which can affect system stability for our customers. The OEM
Bios exploit, which involves modifying system files and the BIOS of
the motherboard to mimic a type of product activation performed on
copies of Windows that are pre-installed by OEMs in the factory. The
Grace Timer exploit, which attempts to reset the “grace time”
limit between installation and activation to something like the year
2099 in some cases.
via http://www.istartedsomething.com/20071208/vista-sp1-changelog/
Transcribed from:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e71f0083-1013-4f9c-a3f9-c56e7120a5e9&DisplayLang=en
So you kids with the OEM hack are safe with this release. Just not
once the final rolls around.
My legal department will be contacting you soon.
To answer a couple questions:
1) The 5 language offline installer (at least what I downloaded from MSDN a few days ago) is 1.14 GB.
2) Yes, this will break the Paradox OEM BIOS hack
1. No it isn't. Combined they may be, but split up, depending on the architecture, x86 is 436.3MB (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fa54665-7716-47d9-b9b7-5cfdf71198cb&DisplayLang=en) and x64 is 733.5MB (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=88128a77-6107-46df-89d8-b93c248496e3&DisplayLang=en).
@Arneh
Man, you really want credit for posting those links don't you?
I gave my point of reference, which was an ISO download from MSDN. But your assumption is correct, the ISO contains both...
Hope someone thanks you for posting the links though, I'm sure it'll make you feel better.
I was just pointing it out based on what's actually available to the public and not what only MSDN subscribers can see. Sorry.
hackers...on your marks...get set...go!
Crackers didn't yet finish playing all XP/DX9 games.
Give it a little bit more time and little bit more DX10 games - before crackers would made Vista a default pirated OS.
Anyway, it would nice to hear whether the RC1 of SP1 does indeed fix the slowdown problems and often Explorer crashes.
I bet it will blow out BT broadband though, last month £9.90 in over download fees.
Cupertino, start your photocopiers.
I see what you did there...
Your post amuses me.
So then you'll have two-fold evidence of what not to do with an operating system.
Since I envision this as a thread that will break down into vista bashing coupled with 'have you even tried it' comments I'd like to get a couple things out from someone who has tried it.
My screen flickers every 20 minutes or so. Sometimes a straight black screen. Sometimes weird lines. Sometimes at startup my main screen appears on my extended desktop. Otherwise I really like Vista. It looks nicer, navigating my computer is intuitive and has some real nice features that I wanted in XP but never got. I find it amazing how similar vista and my hacked apart and reorganized XP look. Memory usage seems comparable, if not better in vista.
Anyway, once SP1 is out if it solves all the problems that have made me think what the hell, how does something like this make it out the door, and then it's hacked so I can try it out before dropping my $400 let me know. Until then it's just like every new version of linux that still doesn't work with dual head on my laptop. I'm seriously getting sick of trying new OS's only to find none are better than the one that I've had for years.
PERHAPS your problems are caused by faulty drivers. just a guess.
def a video driver problem
Intel 945gma. I've looked for graphics drivers. Quite a bit. In vista it's a 'known issue' the screen blanking. There's even a hotfix for it. Except all the hotfix did was let my computer run longer before it starts flashing. If you're talking about linux, no it seems what I need is xorg 7.4.
Awesome. Slightly less crappy. I'm still sticking with XP, at least until Windows Seven is out, maybe longer. I'll just skip Vista entirely :D
Just wanted to thank Arneh for posting those links!
*wink*
(ps...engadget, thank you for distracting me during finals week...its 4am, i have a paper to write, but I'm busy checking your site!)
Damn ur rite.. finished only 20% studying for finals at 8 am in the morning and am installing the RC now.. WTF..
haha, my final is at 3 pm sucka. Now to go read more engadget.
and the offics 2007 SP1 is out too officially...
I eagerly await Vista SP1, but I will pass on RC1. You will need to uninstall RC1 before you can install the RTM anyway, so you might as well just wait it out. Of course if you have a sandbox or simply don't mind installing and reinstalling things over and over, go for it. I personally will wait for the final so I can get things sorted. Even then I will probably reinstall Vista, it's running very well for me but I will give SP1 the best shot it has and start fresh with a slipstreamed Vista disc. My two cents =]
Microsoft always needs to release patches for its OS unlike Apple which always releases polished Operating Systems.
Plus it does not come in a nice box like OSX.
Please, anyone going towards the reply button - DO NOT FEED THE TROLL
Yeah you're right it's not an update when Apple charges $150 to fix mistakes from their prior release
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/bb969139.aspx
Check this out for links to the stand alone packages for vista in all languages
Also coming with SP1 but not in the current release candidate, we will also be including updates that deal with two exploits we have seen, which can affect system stability for our customers. The OEM Bios exploit, which involves modifying system files and the BIOS of the motherboard to mimic a type of product activation performed on copies of Windows that are pre-installed by OEMs in the factory. The Grace Timer exploit, which attempts to reset the “grace time” limit between installation and activation to something like the year 2099 in some cases.
via http://www.istartedsomething.com/20071208/vista-sp1-changelog/
Transcribed from:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e71f0083-1013-4f9c-a3f9-c56e7120a5e9&DisplayLang=en
So you kids with the OEM hack are safe with this release. Just not once the final rolls around.
Install Windows Vista SP1 RC through Windows Update!
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC is available through Windows Update. Please read the following instructions and cautions prior to installing.
Before you install:
• If you have a prior version of SP1 beta installed, you must uninstall it prior to installing RC.
• Use the Control Panel applet “Programs and Features” and select “View installed updates” from the top left of the task pane. Under Windows, look for “Service Pack for Windows (KB936330).
• Please wait 1 hour after uninstalling a prior build before installing the RC. The installer service needs to clean up and complete the uninstall prior to installing a later build. Failing to do this can result in installation errors for the RC version.
• This is pre-release code and will change before the final release. Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate is for individuals, organizations, and technical enthusiasts who are comfortable evaluating pre-release software. This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you have a backup of your data prior to installing any pre-release software.
• Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate is Time-Limited software. It will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date. Note: After installation your desktop will show the text “Evaluation Copy”. This does not mean that your system is no longer “Genuine”. It means that you have installed a test version of software which is time-limited.
• The “Evaluation Copy” text will show up on the 2nd boot after installing the service pack. Likewise, the Evaluation Copy text will remain during the first boot after uninstall, but will disappear after the next reboot.
• If you install the Service Pack 1 Release Candidate, it is strongly recommended that you also plan to install the final version of Windows Vista SP1 when it is released in the first quarter of 2008. To do this, you will be required to uninstall this pre-release code.
• Support is through self-help and peer support via the Windows Vista SP1 forum. Assisted support (phone, email and online chat) is not available from Microsoft Support for this RC release of SP1.
• You must have a genuine copy of Windows Vista installed on the computer prior to installing the Windows Vista SP1 update.
The Windows Update Experience
Windows Vista SP1 requires the installation of either two or three “pre-requisites” prior to installing the service pack itself. The pre-requisites will be delivered to most customers over Windows Update as part of regular monthly updates prior to the release of the service pack itself, so that the reboots required will happen along with other updates that require a reboot. However, for the RC, we have not yet delivered these publicly so the individual experience requires 3-4 separate installations over Windows Update. Please keep in mind that the below instructions and sequences are primarily required for the RC install and will not be required for most customers using Windows Update with the final Service Pack.
The prerequisite packages comprise of two packages which service specific Windows components prior to the SP install, and a third package which is an update to the installation software built into Windows Vista.
The prerequisite packages are:
• KB935509– This is only required on Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate editions (which have Bitlocker capabilities). This update is required prior to installing KB938371, the 2nd prerequisite package, and is required to prevent potential loss of data on Bitlocker encrypted systems during servicing.
• KB938371 – This package consists of fixes for several components, including the TrustedInstaller, that increases the success rate for installing the service pack, and which enable the service pack to be successfully uninstalled. This must be installed prior to the service pack install itself to enable these fixes.
• KB937287– This is an update to the “Servicing Stack” or the Windows Vista component installer technologies built into Windows Vista. This update enables the built-in installer to properly and successfully install the service pack itself.
Windows Vista SP1 distributed through Windows Update will be applicable to Windows Vista machines that are running on any of the 36 languages supported by Vista RTM.
Install the Service Pack
There are two basic ways to install the service pack: The way most customers will see it, as a pop-up notification that the service pack is ready to install, and immediately using multiple manual installs from Windows Update. The first technique is the simplest, but may take up to 4 days for Windows Update automatic update feature to deliver each of the 3 prerequisites and the service pack itself.
Windows Vista SP1 distributed through Windows Update will be applicable to Windows Vista machines that are running on any of the 36 languages supported by Vista RTM.
Method 1: Automatic Update
Experience the automatic update process for Windows Vista SP1 by following these steps:
• Save the included script to your machine
• Right click on the script and choose the option of “Run as administrator”. The script will set a registry key on your system for Windows Update to offer Vista SP1.
For the automatic installation of Vista SP1, make sure that Windows Update Automatic Updates is turned on for your system. After running the script, Windows Update Automatic Updates will automatically update your machine over the next several days with the prerequisites. When the final Service Pack component has downloaded, it will put up a balloon notice in the tray that updates are available. You must click on this notice and choose to install the Service Pack at this point. The Service Pack will not silently or automatically install itself without user consent.
Method 2: Manually Install using the Windows Update control panel.
To install Vista SP1 as quickly as possible, follow the steps below very carefully.
Systems running on Windows Vista RTM typically require two or three updates before SP1 can be installed. These updates are permanent on your Windows Vista systems. Windows Update will detect your system configuration and offer the prerequisite packages that are applicable to your system. For details, please see the instructions below.
1. Download SP1cppRK.cmd to your machine and run it on elevated prompt.
• To run the script on elevated prompt, after you download the script, right click on the file and select “Run as administrator” option.
• The script sets a registry key on your system. The registry key is required for WU server to recognize your machine as a valid target for Vista SP1.
• After running the script, Windows Update automatic updates will automatically update your machine over the next several days with the appropriate prerequisites and then offer the Service Pack. If you would like to install SP1 quicker you can manually do the next few steps to speed up the process.
2. Install all pending “Important” updates and the pre-requisite updates for SP1. You may have to repeat this several times to get fully up to date.
• Check for updates on Windows Update. Go to Control Panel à System and Maintenance à Windows Update and check for updates by clicking on “Check for Updates” in the top left of the task pane. (Note: If your system is managed by a central administrator, and has a WSUS server for updates, you need to use the “Check online for updates” link in the bottom center of the Windows Update control panel. If this is not visible, your system administrator may have disabled this functionality).
• You will be offered all previously released Windows Vista updates that you may not have installed on your system. Install all applicable updates.
• If you have Windows Vista Ultimate, or Windows Vista Enterprise, Update for Windows (KB935509) should be in this list. If you have any other version, Update for Windows KB938371 should show up in this list. Reboot your machine when prompted. If you do not have Vista Ultimate or Enterprise, Update for Windows KB938371 should show up first and KB935509 is not required.
• If you reboot and rescan on Windows Update right away, sometimes times you may not see all updates. This may be caused by the installer service completing the install of the prior update. Please wait 5-10 minutes and scan again. (This delay should not be required for the final SP1 release.)
3. Install Update for Windows (KB937287).
• Update for Windows (KB937287) it does not require a reboot. This is the “installer” code for the service pack.
4. Install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (KB936330).
• Wait for 10-15 minutes prior to checking for updates again, to enable the installer to complete it’s self installation.
• Check for updates on Windows Update again. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 IKB936330) should be available.
Your spam is not appreciated. This is on windowsupdate.com
You can just Link to it. Hahaha. So fresh.
Copying files over my gbit network card seems to have increased by about 5000% :) Great work finally solving the slow copying of large files over the network.
What does it fix?
Wow. Shocking. The slumbering giant finally releases a patch.
And bunch of unsolicited Apple attacks. Don't you MS'ers have more to focus on now that you can actually get Vista to amount for something.
Oh, and it only took 11 months to get an update to your OS, eh? Apple posted one in about a month.
I wonder which company cares about it's users more...and which company knows their new OS is a turd.
-D
you do realize that apple needed a patch with the crappy OS they sent out to people, the thing had a bunch of big problems, more than vista even. i bought vista on day 1 with zero problems, i didnt need a patch but am doing just for performance sake.
now back under your bridge with ya, troll.
Ooooh. This is cute.
I'm getting 'Low Ranked' along with anyone else here with an opinion favorable to Apple and OSX.
Pepper; just like you, I had no problem with OSX Leopard out of the box. Count us both 'not the norm', then?
As for more problems with OSX Leopard than Vista out of the box, problem for problem? C'mon Pinocchio - you're not straight on your facts...
-D
MOST of the problems people had with vista was compatability issues with older programs, sure there was others. and there are many more windows users than that of apple, yet i seen fewer complaints from early vista adopters. with apple even on this site, 3/4 of the people that installed it were talking about their blue screen of death, or problems with programs that are included in the box. and after they fix them problems vista is still compatable with many more third party programs, and games, soooo many more games.
Hmm. Good point about the games. Boy, you got me there...
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/01/29/xp-vs-vista/page11.html#conclusion_ko_for_windows_vista
Memory seems to serve me that sales of Vista did so well that Dell's customers (more than 11,000 of which) petitioned to get XP instead of Vista. Oh - also Microsoft extended the life of XP by another 6 months to 'give people more time to transition to the new Vista experience'. Seems to read more like 'to allow us Microsoft time to sort the problems out, release a stable product, and negate some bad press'.
-D
I don't know about your Apple, but Microsoft sends updates to me every Wednesday. This is just a major update. My vista was very much useable even with games before this update.
SP1 is equivalent to Apple upgrading you to Leopard, Tiger, Panther whichever one it is now. The only difference being I don't need to pay money to be able to upgrade my OS's browser to the newest version like you do on an Apple. So is MS really the one that deserves the $ in their name?
Full download for 32bit Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=be34577a-e925-48fb-9d6d-50fe9461f808&DisplayLang=en
Full download for 64bit Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c21c3978-3b7d-4d64-873b-3c9d26982d7a&DisplayLang=en
Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate Stand-alone Packages
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/bb969139.aspx
My 360 HD-DVD drive is now called a HD-DVD drive.(It use to call it a DVD drive)
Nice :)
So that's what the update was last nite... or was it... I can't tell at the moment til I get home. I was runnning late for work
i'm about to take the plunge, i may never come back. tell my children i love them...and tell my wife i'm sorry for doing her sister.
just finished. really no big difference, which there wasnt suppose to be, other than everything is like 2-3 times faster.
Instant improvement after install.
no that was office sp1. you have to do some extra stuff to make this sp show up on WU.
@christian
this was meant for you but didnt attach to your post.
I'd like to point out that the first time I turned back on my laptop after I installed SP1 my computer didn't start.. ran recovery and it immediately removed the SP.. Did any one else get this or was I just lucky?? (It also looks like recovery removed part of my anti virus softwear.. way to go big M..)
yo do realize that apple needed a patch with the crappy OS they sent out to people, the thing had a bunch of big problems, more than vista even. i bought vista on day 1 with zero problems, i didnt need a patch but am doing just for performance sake.
now back under your bridge with ya, troll.
sorry about the double post, didnt attach the first time.
@atrian,
Maybe that's why vista is so slow...
I like this part:
"While not reflected in the initial release candidate this week, we will also be making changes effective with SP1 in how we differentiate the experience customers have using non-genuine versions of our software. This is based on feedback we heard from volume license customers in particular as part of our Windows Genuine Advantage program. "
My media center wont freaking open. Thus i cant play all my music.vids on my 360. If this SP doesnt fix I am going to kill someone.
Anybody else have this problem?
Service Pack 1 FTW!