ED#106 : Windows Vista Service Pack 2's Latest Release Schedule

We have news of the upcoming Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista! Microsoft is doing their best to rush out Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista so there will be additional incentive for folks to upgrade to Window Vista now, instead of waiting for Windows 7.

Incidentally, this service pack also applies to Windows Server 2008. It upgrades Windows Server 2008 to Release 2. You can get more information on Windows Server 2008 R2 in the links below :

Update @ Nov. 11, 2008 : We have details of what's really part of the new Service Pack 2 and how it will be released. Take a look

Update @ Jan. 22, 2009 : It looks like Microsoft has delayed the release of their release candidate and RTM builds by a month. Replacing the original release candidate build is something they call a "release candidate escrow build".

Update @ Jan. 27, 2009 : HOT NEWS! Microsoft just brought forward their release schedule! The Windows Vista SP2 release candidate escrow build will be released this week, instead of sometime in February. This will be followed by the final release candidate (RC) build in the week of February 16, 2009.

The final RTM build has now been pegged at early to mid Q2, 2009. That means a launch in either April or early May, barring any further delays.

Update @ Feb. 28, 2009 : Microsoft released the escrow build in the middle of February, and should be providing their OEM partners with their Release Candidate (RC) Build by today. The next update on SP2 is expected in March 2009.

Update @ Apr. 26, 2009 : We revamped the editorial, and updated the release schedule.

Update @ May 1, 2009 : We updated the editorial and the release schedule with the RTM and RTW dates and details.

Update @ May 24, 2009 : We updated the editorial and the release schedule with the confirmed RTM and RTW dates and details.

Update @ May 27, 2009 : You can now download Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 here! At our last check, it is still not available via Windows Update on our end (although noel_pg3 reports it's up on Windows Update). This is expected as Microsoft will only release Service Pack 2 via Windows Update on a tiered basis to avoid overloading their servers.

Update @ June 28, 2009 : We updated the Release Schedule with the postponed RTW date of the Wave 1 release of Service Pack 2. Thanks, noel_pg3 and Robert!

Don't forget to take a look at our inside scoop on Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008!

Updated! Latest Release Schedule

Microsoft has finalized Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. The final build has a version string of 6.0.6002.18.005, and has been released to manufacturing (RTM).

Microsoft released the All Language editions (Wave 1) to the web on June 30, 2009. So if you have been waiting for this edition, go download it now - x86 edition, x64 edition. Thanks, Robert and noel_pg3 again!

Service Pack 2 Version Windows Vista SP2 Windows Server 2008 SP2

Release Candidate Escrow Build * Jan. 26-30, 2009 Release Candidate Build Feb 16-20, 2009 Release To Manufacturing (Wave 0) April 29, 2009 Release To Web (Wave 0) May 26, 2009 Release To Manufacturing (Wave 1) May 21, 2009 Release To Web (Wave 1) June 30, 2009 OEM Distribution Date 60 days after

Windows 7 GA Immediately

after SP2 RTM

* An escrow build means that "code development has ceased as developers and beta testers hunt for recall-class bugs. The escrow code is considered the release-to-manufacturing code". Thanks for the tip, basic!

As Microsoft has done in previous Service Pack releases (Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3), they will be releasing Windows Vista Service Pack 2 in language waves. For more details of what's really part of the new Service Pack 2 and how it will be released, take a look at this article.

If you did not read our our inside scoop of Service Pack 2 yet, do note that Microsoft will delay the OEM distribution rights of SP2 until 60 days after the General Availability of Windows 7. This is due to the imminent launch of Windows 7. Microsoft does not want SP2 to interfere with a successful implementation and launch of Windows 7 by their OEM partners.

In other words, don't expect to see any products with Windows Vista SP2 until at least 2-3 months have passed after Windows 7 has launched. End-users, though, can receive Service Pack 2 via Windows Update (online). In addition, Windows Server 2008 SP2 is not affected (because it addresses a totally different market).

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