Microsoft releases Vista SP2 beta

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) has just been released as a public beta. Vista SP2 has been in the testing phase since October, and is scheduled for release around April of next year. Because SP2 will effect almost all of us, it has sparked a great deal of excitement and interest.

One thing is for sure, Vista SP2 is a fairly significant upgrade, and it includes numerous changes to the Vista operating system. So unless you are hanging on for Windows 7, Vista SP2 might be your best bet. Note that Windows Vista SP2 requires the prior installation of Vista SP1.

We have compiled a list of SP2's most intriguing features, and links to resources that outline the product further.

A summary of the new features in Vista SP2

• Includes Windows Search 4.0
• Reduces the resources needed to run various sidebar gadgets
• Native support to record data on Blu-Ray media
• Windows Connect Now (WCN) for simplified Wi-Fi configuration
• Supports Bluetooth 2.1
• Improved Wi-Fi performance after exiting Vista's sleep mode
• Adds support for exFAT file system to handle larger files and UTC timestamp
• Adds support for 64-bit processors from VIA
• Adds the ability to detect incompatible drivers
• Improves power management by almost 10 percent
• Corrects a list of system bugs such as shutdown problems and crash-causing issues

Links to other resources:

• Official announcement of the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 public beta
• The download page for Vista SP2 from Microsoft TechNet
• PC World has a nice write-up on six things you need to know about Vista SP2
• Ed Bott of ZDNet praises Microsoft for getting back on track with Vista SP2

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