Windows Vista service pack 1: Is It Reliable One?
Microsoft has delivered a new update to Windows Vista, the service Pack 1, one of the major update, since its release in January 2007 to its beta testers. This updates offer no major changes to the operating system and also, does not add new features. It just focuses on reliability, improvement over performance and compatibility issues.
More support to exFAT file system
Among the issues, it extends more support to new emerging hardware technology, the exFAT file system, which will be extensively used by flash memory storages and consumer devices. Another change to be noted is, Windows Search. Here, one can easily integrate third party programs such as Google Desktop Search, into the operating system.
Microsoft hopes to release the final version of service pack 1, world wide, some where in the first quarter of 2008.
Improving performance and reliability
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 will bring heavy disappointment to those who expected changes to the design, look, etc. The design and everything remains the same, since its release. Microsoft finally brought back its traditional service pack approach i.e. Service packs should focus on improving performance and reliability, than giving new features to the customers.
There are still a group of customers who are eagerly awaiting the release of Service Pack 1. But, those who expect new features in the service packs will get disappointed. It was earlier expected that, Microsoft will design the service pack 1 in such a way that, it will contain an odd number of features in it. But, that does not seem to be happening now. Anyway, one still need to wait for a final judgment, till the final release of Service Pack 1.
Windows Vista SP1 - boost up copying and extracting files
Windows Vista SP1 will solve many performance and reliability issues, which was complained by some Vista users. Microsoft claims that, SP1 will boost up copying and extracting files, they even make PC’s return back to the normal state from Hibernate state, quicker than earlier. It also helps one to improve battery life, according to Microsoft sources. In addition to these fixes, the company also said that, SP 1 would fix up problems related to some of the newer graphics cards.
Networking plays the important part in the success of operating system. Microsoft has improved browsing the network, which consumes less bandwidth, compared to Vista without SP1, and performs quickly.
Enhanced security
Microsoft has also plans to enhance security in Vista SP1. There is a compliant from Vista third party security vendors that, they cannot easily gain access to the Windows Security Center. Microsoft has said that, the SP 1 will allow security vendors to access to WSC easily and secured than earlier.
As said above, SP1 has made changes to the search system. Microsoft has removed search link from the start menu, and additionally, made it a way for third party search programs such as Google Desktop Search to replace Windows built-in search technology. One can now easily select a new search tool as the default tool for Windows search.
Future flash storage
Support for new hardware has expected to get boosted up in SP1. The exFAT file system, which is used by future flash storage and consumer devices will now, gets supported in Windows Vista. Vista SP1 will add support for Secure Digital Advanced Direct Memory Access, which gives access to SD host controllers. This will boost up transfer rates and minimizes the use of CPU, according to Microsoft.
Support to Direct3D 10.1
Direct3D 10.1 will also get supported in Vista SP1. This is a major advancement in gaming sector. Gaming developers can now develop and deploy the games by using simplified functions written in Direct3D, without having worry that their games gets supported in Vista or not.
Vista sp1 issues - Major changes in Administrative policies
One of major changes in Vista is the Administrative policies. SP1 will make significant changes in this area. The administrator can manage the group policy. When SP1 gets installed into the system, the existing Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) gets removed from the system. By default, GPEdit.MSC will get installed and will be used to edit local group policies. When SP1 final version gets released, administrators will be able to download a new tool for adding comments to the group policy objects. Till then, one should open a remote desktop session to the server or to a PC running non SP1 version of Vista, to make use of features offered by GPMC, if SP1 is installed now.
Vista SP1 - Approximate Size of 50 MB
When finally released SP1 will be delivered to the customers in several ways. Existing Vista users will get SP1 through Windows Updates from Windows Update site of Microsoft. It is expected to be in 50 MB in size. SP1 will be delivered in stand alone form. In both the cases, installation requires about 7 GB of hard disk space in 32-bit systems and 12 GB in 64-bit computers. Some of the space will be freed up, after installation gets completed.
Slipstream version
Vista SP1 will be made available to the PC makers through the slipstream version. This is available to both the retail users and as well as to the volume licensing customers.
Let us play the game of wait-and-see now. As of now, one will not get any new features and design changes. Microsoft might have planned to bring out design changes and new features in the final version. Let us hope for best…
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