No new features in Windows Vista SP1

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 29 Aug 2007 at 19:06

Microsoft has admitted there will be no new features in Windows Vista Service Pack 1 when it arrives at the beginning of next year.

One of the common criticisms of Vista is that it lacks sufficient new features to tempt XP users to upgrade. And though Microsoft has used Service Packs to introduce significant new features in the past, it has no plans for a repeat performance this time round.

"We didn't design SP1 as a vehicle for releasing new features; however, some existing components do gain enhanced functionality in SP1," says Microsoft's Nick White, on the Windows Vista team blog.

White confirms that the Service Pack will arrive in Q1 next year, with a beta due to be released in the next few weeks. A small closed beta is already underway.

The long list of slated improvements that will be made in SP1 includes enhanced graphics card compatibility, better reliability when using an external screen with a laptop and shorter waiting periods during Hibernate and Resume modes.

A few of the slated changes - such as improvements in the speed of copying and extracting files - have already been addressed in Windows Hotfixes that were released today.

However, Microsoft insists there will be genuine value-add for Vista users. "In addition to updates we've previously released, SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability and performance issues we've identified via customer feedback, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards," says White. "SP1 also makes additional improvements to the IT administration experience."

The question is, will it be enough to convince existing XP users - whether in the home or business - to upgrade to Vista? Let us know your thoughts by clicking Add Comment below.