(Not) an update on SP1

A HotFix.net blogger today posted a collection of individual Windows Vista hotfixes as a supposed Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) preview.  However, those of you who've been closely following discussions on Windows Vista will quickly notice that what is posted consists of some material already available on Windows Update and some hotfixes that we give out on a case-by-case basis, along with a lot of speculation about what may and may not be included in SP1.

Looking at the site, it seems to me the blogger compiled a list of previous mentions of SP1 (purely conjectural, and already discussed in other blogs) stitched together with another list of "hotfixes" mentioned in various KB (Knowledge Base) articles (again, already posted on our web site).  You probably already know that we create and release hotfixes on a regular basis for very specific customer scenarios or for OEM-shipped machines, and that it's standard policy that all hotfixes are rolled into the next service pack release.  However, a service pack is not just a compilation of hotfixes and security updates, so don't make the mistake of thinking that the set of fixes offered in this particular blogger's list represents a preview of the service pack itself.

It's worth mentioning that hotfixes not posted on Windows Update are not intended for individual installation unless the user is experiencing the specific symptoms mentioned in the corresponding KB article.  These hotfixes represent specific fixes for specific customer scenarios and typically have not undergone full regression testing.  When they are integrated into a future service pack, they will receive full regression testing and beta testing.  So, installing a collection of unnecessary hotfixes may cause more problems than are fixed.

The bottom line is that unless you have encountered the specific situation described in a given KB, you'll get everything you need from Windows Update.

Final comment:  I'm not here to discuss SP1 on this blog, so please refrain from posting your questions on it in the Comments section.  Windows Vista is a product that's both deep and wide and we on this blog intend to continue to delve into it while sharing with you the story of its creation.  When the time comes to discuss other releases, you can be sure that we'll have plenty to say right here.

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Comments

  1. joem
    Posted on: April 03, 2007 at 9:31PM  

    Thank you for explaining.   keep up the good work

  2. Stefano Nurchi
    Posted on: April 04, 2007 at 5:05AM  

    What a shame... I can't believe he posted such crap. That dude should be sued.

  3. Glenn2007
    Posted on: April 04, 2007 at 8:48AM  

    Stefano,

    All the blogger did was reference an already available source (Microsoft) and bring that information together with links. Crap? (non sai cosa stai dicendo). Tell me where I can go on Microsoft's website to get that without have to perform countless searches. I agree with Nick that you shouldn't perform any updates to the OS unless you are experiencing specific problems. The update seems to do an ok job at best. Just try to download the Sigmatel update and you'll run into a wall. I found that blogger's website useful, because it gave me the chance to see what kind of issues Vista was having. I've been running Vista X64 for three weeks on a new Intel board and everytime I start Vista and think I've gotten through to the the--the BSOD comes up and my computer restarts. The problem just started happening in the past week. I have very little hardware/software on the computer. I think it might actually have something to do with the MS updates. Now I'm hearing the MS will not be releasing an SP1 because it feels that it OS update feature will eventaull take care of any OS problems that people are encountering. :-)

  4. Stefano Nurchi
    Posted on: April 04, 2007 at 10:37AM  

    Glenn,

    I'm aware of what "crap" means (so benissimo cosa sto dicendo, grazie). And you're right, no one shouldn't perform any updates to Windows Vista unless you are experiencing specific problems. Bringing together early stage patches with official hotfixes and releasing this minestrone (feel free to translate it in English) as "Vista SP1 Preview" is a shame. Nuff said.

  5. nicknowsky
    Posted on: April 04, 2007 at 10:40AM  

    Hey Nick I am a staff member of thehotfix.net the whole SP1 thing is more or less a publicity action geared towards gaining new members. and as Glen007 said is is just a whole lot easier to have all the hotfixes in 1 place rather than doing countless searches on the Microsoft site.  If you got any further questions you can contact me at nicknowsky22@thehotfix.net

  6. raskren
    Posted on: April 04, 2007 at 11:36AM  

    The site is a joke.  I think at one point the owner of the site tried to sell access to a leaked Windows Live Messenger build.  Or it was a beta build disguised as final.

    In any case, the site is deceptive and doesn't fully explain the risks of blindly installing miscellaneous hotfixes.

  7. someone
    Posted on: April 05, 2007 at 12:16AM  

    Speaking of SP1, I request MS to fix some of the UI problems with apps under Vista. Vista offers such nice features but I'm held back to XP, because of several unpleasant changes and removal of functionality that MS has done in their Vista apps.

    1. Windows Explorer, IE7 and Windows Live Mail Desktop toolbars, buttons and layout cannot be customized. This extends to all apps but these three AT LEAST should have this customizability.

    2. Windows Mail uses the same columns for ALL folders compared to OE which allowed different columns for different folders.

    3. WMP11 interface may not appeal to everyone. Please add alternative/old style inteface option.

    4. The old Sound Recorder at least allowed saving to WAV, one advantage of which was lossless audio. Why force WMA when it results in lossy compression? Either add WMA Pro and WMA lossless or add back WAV.

    I know none of these issues will be addressed but I'm hoping still.

  8. Nick White
    Posted on: April 05, 2007 at 12:45AM  

    Hey someone:  au contraire, my friend.  It's too early to say what will and will not be adressed, but rest assured that your feedback is being shared with the teams reponsible for IE, Windows Mail, Windows Live, WMP and the shell.

  9. peterkirn
    Posted on: April 05, 2007 at 1:34PM  

    I understand not wanting to talk about it, but I'd personally love to see some transparency on upcoming updates, when appropriate -- appropriateness being dependent on knowing enough about that update to share.

    Users are talking about SP1 in part because I think there's a feeling that Vista is deficient in some areas, particularly things like Aero performance.

  10. Disapointed
    Posted on: April 05, 2007 at 4:41PM  

    Vista is the lamest OS microsoft ever made (wose than Me) none of my important (and expesive) software works, my pc is slooooooooow

    hotfixes before it's release. security is simply put back on the user (the consumer!) and now i have to buy a new XP cd to make it right...I WANT MY MONEY BACK! Vista sucks, u lied Mr Gates.just a thought...try making a good OS instead of milking a monopolized OS for every dime u can, it will make u more $ than this scam called VISTA. all the holes in ALL windows OS's are made by YOU (MS) to make even more $. MAC,UNIX,LINUX don't have these deliberate holes...this is very cheesy and i am very disapointed. i am returning my new computer!

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