Windows 7 & Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Released

Microsoft released Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 to the masses yesterday, February 22nd.

Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 is a set of updates and fixes for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 that addresses feedback from Microsoft customers (in addition to the improvements that are delivered to users through Windows Update). In addition to including previously released updates, SP1 focuses on specific reliability and performance issues, support for new types of hardware, and support for a few emerging technology standards. Note that although SP1 is not intended to be a vehicle for releasing new features, some existing features do gain enhanced functionality through SP1.

Notable new features include:

RemoteFX – Ever use Remote Desktop to connect to another machine virtually over a LAN? You’ve probably noticed that the experience you get across a network pales in comparison to what you get locally, with features like Windows Aero, full-motion video, and 3D graphics all off limits. RemoteFX will lift those barriers.

Dynamic Memory – According to Microsoft, dynamic memory “allows customers to achieve increased density when they’re consolidating physical servers into a virtual realm, providing them with predictable performance and linear scalability.” Translated: IT administrators can dice up the physical memory on a machine, like a server, and dole it out to many different virtual machines on the fly. Continue reading “Windows 7 & Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Released”

Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is now officially available for download. SP2 includes better Wi-Fi and BlueTooth connectivity, processor compatibility, native Blu-Ray support, and faster search services along with a barrage of security hotfixes and updates. A list of notable changes is available here.

One disappointment is that service pack 2 requires service pack 1 to be installed as a prerequisite which means native Vista slipstreams won’t work without SP1 being installed first. The work around is to install SP1 inclusive Vista media or build a ground up slipstream cd which includes SP1 and SP2. This can easily be accomplished with vLite.

One interesting fact is that Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 are included in the same update file meaning you only need to download a single executable to update both operating systems. This is the first time Microsoft has released a joint service pack.

Vista SP2 will be released to Windows Update on June 30th but in the mean time it can be downloaded from Microsoft Downloads or using the links below.

Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) for x86 (348.3 MB)
Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) for x64 (577.4 MB)
Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) Stand-Alone ISO (1376.8 MB)