What is Service Pack 1?

The easiest way to update your Windows Vista-based PC with SP1 is by using the Windows Update control panel. Just set Windows Update to automatically download important updates and Windows Update will download SP1 when it's available for your PC. (It could take a month or more before SP1 shows up on your PC, so please be patient.) After SP1 is downloaded you'll see an alert like this:



Click on the alert to start the installation, which will take approximately one hour. (For the first half hour, you'll be able to use your PC. Then, you'll be asked to restart, and you won't be able to use your PC for the last half hour of the installation.)

You can also manually download and install Windows Vista SP1 from the Microsoft Download Center, but we strongly recommend using Windows Update. You should be an advanced computer user and have a broadband connection to consider using the Microsoft Download Center for SP1.

You may be able to upgrade a PC running Windows XP to Windows Vista with SP1. Use the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to see if your PC can run Windows Vista. You can get Windows Vista with SP1 from a retailer or online.

PCs with Windows Vista with SP1 will arrive at retailers beginning in April. But you don't need to wait. You can update a new Windows Vista–based PC to SP1 over the Internet, free of charge.

If you have problems installing SP1, Microsoft is here to help, free of charge—by e-mail, web chat, or telephone. Microsoft provides free support covering any issue you have with installing SP1, available until March 18, 2009. And, if you upgrade a Windows XP-based PC to Windows Vista with SP1, you get 90 days of free support.