4 Performance Improving Features of Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Day before yesterday, we had written an article on Windows Vista to come out on 3rd Dec. Though it is not out still we have some updates for you. And proving us right PCworld also states that Windows Vista didn’t go for regular users. You won’t be able to see but feel the difference Windows Vista SP2 is going to make.

1. It is for Pro Users

SP2 beta is, as the name suggests, a product still under development. Microsoft is recommending only technology enthusiasts, developers, and IT pros willing to test the software take on the upgrade. General users are advised to wait until the final release, which is set for the first half of 2009

2.  SP2 Has Fairly Significant Updates

Having said that, what attracts me most is this service pack’s numerous updates. Here are some of the highlights of what it’ll do for you

• Let you record data onto Blu-ray discs
• Add into your system Vista Feature Pack For Wireless, which provides support for the latest Bluetooth technology — Bluetooth v2.1 — as well as for the Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi protocol
• Give you better Wi-Fi performance when you’re exiting Vista’s sleep mode
• Make your RSS feeds sidebar gadget work faster and better
• Give you the latest desktop search engine, Windows Search 4
• Cut down the resources it takes to run your various sidebar gadgets

3.  Improved Hardware Support

What makes the Windows Vista SP2 release unique is that it represents a single service pack which applies to both client (Windows Vista SP1) and server (Windows Server 2008) operating systems—since the code base for Windows Vista is shared with that for Windows Server® 2008, a single update can be deployed across your infrastructure. This service model also provides the ability to detect an incompatible driver and block service pack installation, or warn users of any loss of functionality during installation. Other highlights for IT pros include:

Emerging Hardware Support

• Bluetooth 2.1 feature pack
• Ability to record data on Blu-ray media
• exFAT file system now supports UTC timestamps, which enables correct file synchronization across time zones
• Support for the new VIA 64-bit CPU
• Support for ICCD/CCID smart cards

4. Improvement from Previous Experience

Microsoft did take some steps to make this Service Pack function a bit better than past upgrades. It is the first Windows Service Pack to work for both the client (Vista) and server (Windows 2008) editions of the operating system in a single update.

SP2 also includes what Microsoft is calling a Service Pack Clean-up Tool. This will permanently delete old versions of files SP2 is updating, helping you reduce clutter and get rid of outdated system files that’d otherwise just take up space

[source: pcworld.com]