The news that Microsoft releases two Vista updates was received in the PC world with little surprise. Patches, updates and revisions are common in the Windows world. What makes these recent updates different is the scope and range of their effect. Many in the industry believe that they a sign the the first Service Pack for the Windows Vista operating system is not far away.
Microsoft has been issuing regular updates for it’s Windows products for years. Most users receive changes once or twice a week which are incorporated into their installation with little or no effort on their part. These updates and patches are designed to fix problems, enhance features, and improve performance and security.
A service pack, on the other hand, is a compilation of many updates. While not quite a new version of Windows, a service pack marks the point when the current Window’s version reaches a specific level of performance and reliability. Many issues are addressed and many features are added or enhanced by a service pack installation.
Microsoft has not officially declared that Vista Service Pack 1 is even in the works, but most analysts feel it just a matter of time before one comes available. The release of two Vista Updates so close together tells a lot. And since the next version of Windows is not scheduled for release until 2010, at least one service pack for Vista is just short of inevitable.
You can find both the updates here:
– http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938194 (Compatibility and Reliability patch)
– http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938979 (Performance and Reliability patch)