What Service Packs are available?
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)
Windows Vista SP2 represents the latest step in the Microsoft commitment to continuous improvement. It includes all of the updates that have been delivered since SP1, plus support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards. And, because it comes with a single installer for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, SP2 will be easy for IT professionals to manage, deploy, and support. For details, please refer to the notable changes document.
Enterprise customers with Windows Vista will find that the transition to the Windows 7 operating system will be significantly more straightforward due to the high degree of compatibility between Windows Vista and Windows 7. If your Windows Vista SP1 deployment is already underway, Microsoft recommends that you continue with SP1 as planned. Then, you can deploy SP2 using your systems management infrastructure. If you are in the early stages of SP1 deployment, or are still planning a Windows Vista deployment, Microsoft advises that you plan to test and deploy Windows Vista SP2. For more information about Windows Vista SP2, select one of the links below:
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)
With the release of SP1, Windows Vista Enterprise improves security with enhancements to Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption, which now protects all local drives in addition to the Windows partition. Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption also now allows authentication via USB, PIN, and TPM at the same time.
Furthermore, hardware and software partners have worked extensively with Microsoft to help improve the Windows Vista experience. These partners have updated more applications to be compatible with Windows Vista, delivered new device drivers, and ensured that most new devices and software programs are compatible with Windows Vista.
With the release of SP2, Microsoft and its partners have joined efforts to make Windows Vista even more effective at helping organizations optimize their desktop infrastructures, reduce total cost of ownership, and increase agility.