Windows Vista SP2: RTM Escrow build reaches internal testers

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/03/22/windows-vista-sp2-rtm-escrow-build-reaches-internal-testers

We're getting close!

 

Finally. Maybe I can finally go back to Vista after the official SP2 is released.

 

''Windows Vista & Windows Server 2008 SP2 is expected to reach RTM in April 2009..''

 

If this escrow build has very few bugs or regressions, then the next major build can be developed, otherwise it can act as a Pre-RTM. I guess we're not close, but the release date is "expected", as in an estimated date.

 

What's the final release date?

 

I can't wait, I hope they fixed they slow Windows load issue with SP2 RTM, still had it with my RC.

 

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=604&pgno=1

They had a slow Windwos load issue? Do you mean at the boot-up?

 

Whats in SP2?

if I recall correctly, its just a compiled update pack, with improved connectivity, not so much performance gain, right?

 

@Shaythong: dead link? I tried to go to Tech ARP's main page to get to that article but it seems dead. Could it be a typo? I thought the current plan was to release Windows 7 in the Fall or early next year? None-the-less... if W7 arrives much sooner I'll be happy.

 

A quick google search yielded this: http://gizmodo.com/5101130/windows-vista-sp2-features-and-fixes-unveiled-beta-announced

I'm highly interested in the fact that Vista will get a built-in Hyper-Visor for us people who virtualize OS'.

 

"Vista SP2" on Google yields just over 15 million hits.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/154912/vista_sp2_six_things_you_need_to_know.html

 

@dbam987: I do like Windows 7, but for those wanting to wait until their application works, and so on (which some don't depending on the changes in Windows 7) then they might want to get the SP2 package. The link works over here. Maybe their website went down for a second or two.

It's interesting how they might implement the Hyper-V feature as seen from the Server release. I don't really virtualize a lot but I do sometimes. Although, it would be nice to be able to use the AMD Hardware Virtualization feature if the Hyper-Visor gets implemented.

On the other hand, I'm not really sure about the Windows Search 4.0 addition, I mean isn't that listed in the Windows Updates already? In WS4.0, don't they make it so it'll only index files when you're "idle"?

 

Thanks, dbam987 and S.SubZero, guess I better go and get it.

 

I'm testing out this release now, and the install went smooth. I see less bugs than with the RC release. I'll check out the performance gains later.

 

I should get SP2 as well. I did try out the beta not too long ago and it was running fine.

 

There was a problem on the way I installed SP2. I just reformatted Vista again, and went straight to installing SP1 and SP2, and I didn't install any security updates before that. I should've first, so that when I uninstall SP2, the security updates stay there. HP provides a executable which contains those essential updates, but oh well. My bad.

 

Vista automatically arranges start up programs to help get into Vista faster, hence it can sometimes seem like Vista start up actually gets faster. For some reason, throughout all the BETAs, for some strange reason it never kicked in. As soon as I remove the BETAs/RC, it kicks in again after a few boots and I load nice and fast again.

 

Superfetch probably has a part in that action as well!

In SP2, WaitToKillServiceTimeout is set to 2000.

 

It is quite easy to force Vista to arrange the startup files. The trick is to get Vista to think it is idle and then kick start the specialized defrag process. See the link in my signature line for details.

Gary

 

That's pretty cool Gary. I'll check the link out as well later!

Just tested some games and it loads as fast as when it was on SP1. No differences what-so-ever with gaming performance. I'm disappointed for that aspect. I might as well stay with my XP dual boot ATM, because it uses less disk space, and I did all things known at the moment to reduce it in Vista - the system files themselves are wasting all of the space - no use getting around that.

Not sure about hard-drive performance on this version yet, though.

 

The defrag trick works on XP as well. If you follow the link and read the LOOOOOONG message, you'll find I uncovered all this while trying to dissect what an XP utility was doing to defrag the bootfiles.

Gary

 

Yes I read the whole first post. Pretty cool, next time I get on my XP boot I'll try it out. Also, does it work on Windows 7?

 

I don't know if it works on Win7 or not. I haven't had a chance/time to load Win7 to find out. I would THINK it would, but can't say with any real certainty.

Gary