Download Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) Beta

As announced yesterday on his blog Mike Nash, vice president of products division at Microsoft Windows, Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista beta is now public for download.

Windows Vista SP2 Beta fixes specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues and has some new features like

• Adds Windows Search 4.0 for faster and relevant searches.
• Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack supporting recent Bluetooth Technology.
• Ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively.
• Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify Wi-Fi Configuration.
• Enables exFAT file system to support UTC timestamps, which allows correct file synchronization across time zones.

The final version of the SP 2 is scheduled for April / May 2009

You can download Windows Vista SP2 From Here

This is the Excerpt From the Blog Publish by Mike Nash, vice president of products division at Microsoft Windows

Quote:

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Hi there, Mike Nash here.

As you know we are getting ready to talk about Windows 7 at the PDC next week. Before we do that, I thought I would give you an update on our latest work for Windows Vista.

We are committed to continually improving Windows, and we've been getting some questions about the timing of the next service pack for Windows Vista. Following the success of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 last spring, we have been working hard on Windows Vista Service Pack 2. As a part of the development and testing process, we're going to start by providing a small group of Technology Adoption Program customers with Windows Vista SP2 Beta for evaluation next Wednesday, October 29. The final release date for Windows Vista SP2 will be based on quality. So we'll track customer and partner feedback from the beta program before setting a final date for the release.

Windows Vista SP2 Beta contains previously released fixes focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues. We expect Windows Vista SP2 will retain compatibility with applications that run on Windows Vista and Windows Vista SP1 and are written using public APIs.

Because we've adopted a single serviceability model, these improvements are integrated into a single service pack covering both Windows Vista (client) and Windows Server 2008 (server) versions. This should also minimize deployment and testing complexity for our customers.

In addition to previously released updates since the launch of Windows Vista SP1, Windows Vista SP2 contains changes focused on supporting new types of hardware and adding support for several emerging standards:
Windows Vista SP2 adds Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches.
Windows Vista SP2 contains the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack supporting the most recent specification for Bluetooth Technology.
Ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively in Windows Vista.
Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify Wi-Fi Configuration.
Windows Vista SP2 enables the exFAT file system to support UTC timestamps, which allows correct file synchronization across time zones.

One question I know that you will ask is "should I wait for SP2?" The reality is that Windows Vista SP1 is a great platform that is both available on new Windows PCs and available as a free download for systems that are running the "gold" release of Windows Vista. While we will recommend SP2 when it ships, your best bet today is Windows Vista SP1.

I look forward to sharing more about Windows Vista SP2 in the future - stay tuned!

Mike

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Mike Nash, vice president of products division at Microsoft Windows

As Microsoft is part of the USB Implementers Forum,and Since the specification should be finished soon Will SP2 also add support for USB 3.0 or is it too early for that? the SP2 seems (at least to me) like a very good opportunity to help USB 3.0 spread as fast and wide as possible and encourage the development of USB 3.0 devices. Kudos :notworthy

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta aimed at individuals, organizations and enthusiasts technical sufficiently at ease to participate in the evaluation software.

This trial version is provided for testing. Installing the Service Pack 2 Beta lead by Microsoft collection of information about the installation process, even if it is not full.

We do not install this software on the main and vital systems. We recommend you make a backup of your data before installing the preliminary version of any software.

Microsoft Technical Support does not provide phone and e-mail that supports beta. For more information about how to obtain support for this beta version, see the documentation included with the Beta product files.

The beta version of Service Pack 2 is a limited time. You must remove this service pack beta software before installing the final version of the service pack. In addition, the beta software no longer work after May 1, 2010, and you must remove this beta software before that date.

If you install the beta version of Service Pack 2, we urge you to also install the final version of the service pack when it is launched. To do this, you must remove this beta software.

Notes

After installing the beta version of Service Pack 2, your desktop may display the following:
Evaluation Copy

• This does not mean that your system is more "authentic" This only indicates that you installed a test version of software that is limited in time
• The text of evaluation copy can be displayed on the second start after you install the service pack. In addition, the text of the evaluation copy can remain the first reboot after uninstall the service pack. However, it does not appear after the next restart.

How to uninstall Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta

To uninstall Windows Vista Beta SP2, follow these steps:

1. Click Start
   
   
2. copy and paste (or type) the following command in the search box and press ENTER:
   
   appwiz.cpl
   
   
3. Click View installed updates.
   
   
4. Click on the Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB948465), and then click Uninstall.
   
   
5. Follow the instructions to complete the uninstall process.