Vista SP1 out now... for beta testers

That right kids, it's everyone's wildest dream come to fruition: Vista SP1 is now officially available for your beta testing pleasure. According to a report from Geekzone in New Zealand, the update is now making its way into the hands of beta testers, with a broad rollout planned sometime in March. Apparently, those desperate to get with the newness will have to use a standalone installer as opposed to the updater, and there are some minor issues with driver compatibility -- but we're pretty sure that won't stop you from going to town on this baby. Get it now if you're a beta tester... or have a BitTorrent client.

[netposer @ Feb 11th 2008 9:46AM]

And they [Microsoft] fucked over MSDN subscribers--assholes.

[sam @ Feb 11th 2008 9:49AM]

exactly, give it to technet/msdn users and give them the vista sp1 slipstreamed iso's too! wont cost them too much in bandwidth, especially if they set up a private torrent.

[Frank @ Feb 11th 2008 9:53AM]

Am I having flashbacks? Wasn't this story out 2 months ago? Didn't I load this beta at least 1 or 2 months ago?

[T-Bone @ Feb 11th 2008 10:08AM]

I agree. I thought they were done and shipping it already.

[dziban303 @ Feb 11th 2008 12:55PM]

This is news? Christ. Engadget is a fucking waste.

[Nick @ Feb 11th 2008 6:10PM]

This isn't a beta. It's the official release of SP1 being released to beta users.

[torqueo @ Feb 11th 2008 9:55AM]

Thanks for more old news, Engadget. This build has been out in the wild since the end of January.

[waiownsyou @ Feb 11th 2008 10:06AM]

Damn you misleading bastards! I almost wet my pants before I could read the entire title!

[Chris G @ Feb 11th 2008 10:18AM]

Um....am I missing something here? Vista SP1 has been RTM. Why would it be out for beta testers? Do you mean that previous beta testers now have the ability to download the final version? Regardless, anyone running SP1 RC Refresh 2 already has the final version as it was that exact build that was RTM. Last I checked a simple registry change or running a simple script in order to change the registry allowed you to get the Refresh 2 build via Windows Update.

[Chris S. @ Feb 11th 2008 10:42AM]

Quite simply, they've released SP1 to beta testers early as a sort of, "thank you." They also released Windows Server 2008 (minus install key) last week.

You can also use the SP1_RK.Cmd to use Windows Update to install the update, instead of a standalone. Helped me a little, as the install was only 66.1 MB instead of the 434+ MB files for standalone.

[ReggieXuk @ Feb 11th 2008 10:30AM]

Quick question.
If I installed the updates that come before the installation of vista sp1 rc1, and the sp1 rc1 install failed, will the files that were installed before the sp1 rc1 stop me from installing the official SP1 when its finally released?

[Chris S. @ Feb 11th 2008 10:44AM]

No. RC1 failed for me, but using the Windows Update method worked for RTM. That was a true trial with the service pack failing, as every boot brought up the rollback screen. Safe Mode is a savior sometimes.

[Steffen Jobbs @ Feb 11th 2008 10:33AM]

Who cares about Vista. This service pack will probably just add more bloat. Where's the up-and-coming service pack for Windows XP?

[jamma @ Feb 11th 2008 11:21AM]

You talk about bloat as if Leopard didn't take up 9GB itself.

Pot, Kettle

[Backlin @ Feb 11th 2008 11:23AM]

Not to mention 500 MB updates...

[mike @ Feb 11th 2008 11:48AM]

...sigh... He asked about XP. So quick to bash fanboi.

[Lee @ Feb 11th 2008 10:38AM]

I have been tempted to download the RTM SP1, however there are endless arguments about whether the torrented SP1 update is the RTM or the RC2 I thought it best to hold off. No real rush, but if this one leaks out and is confirmed legit by the majority, I might give it a go.

[ToniCipriani @ Feb 11th 2008 10:48AM]

So what happened to XP SP3? Fell through the crack?

I thought they were developed at the same time in parallel.

[Fruition @ Feb 11th 2008 10:57AM]

I can't wait to get my public hands on this... I'm looking forward to see the improvements they've made.

[OneLove @ Feb 11th 2008 11:01AM]

if you install sp1 beta, you agree to let Microsoft monitor your activities for a month.

[TURNERSVILLE @ Feb 11th 2008 11:04AM]

I already torrented it last week...RTM...

[Chris S. @ Feb 11th 2008 12:35PM]

Not true. Where did you get this information?

[OneLove @ Feb 12th 2008 11:21AM]

propaganda

[Mark @ Feb 11th 2008 12:19PM]

It's still in beta? Actually, I think SP1 is finished beta, and Microsoft is rewarding those who beta tested it with the official release early.

[Jonathan Worrel @ Feb 11th 2008 12:25PM]

I've already got my *official* Vista Service Pack 1 installed as of last Wednesday :] In System Information it reads as Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001. And I must say, it's like I installed a fresh new pack of drivers, because game performance took a good 3-5fps leap. Happy with that :], but I still use XP Professional x64 for a lot of my gaming needs (Crysis). I must say though, Vista is catching up..slowly but surely.

[bdkennedy1 @ Feb 11th 2008 1:20PM]

Isn't it early for an April Fool's joke? At least that's the only thing I can think of as to why a technology blogger wouldn't know that SP1 went to manufacturing last week.

[Scabies @ Feb 11th 2008 6:52PM]

anyone else notice how the slmgr_rearm thing was patched? pwned
(check release notes)

[Joshua Walters @ Feb 11th 2008 10:23PM]

Im still waiting.

I get a free copy through WFP in two months, so by then it will be done and good.

In the mean time, I do plan to install it and try it, just so I can see the performance jump when I get SP1.

The real money is in SP3 for XP, but I think they are trying to keep that back a few months after SP1, hoping that with SP1 improving performance some, people will make the switch.

For me, Ill never give up my multiboot. Ive got Ubuntu, XP, and soon Vista on here, and thats how I like it.

[Tynan @ Feb 12th 2008 4:48AM]

um, I've had SP1 RC Build 6001 since uh, late december. How is this new news?

[Jonathan Worrel @ Feb 12th 2008 1:49PM]

because this isn't an RC - this is the real deal.