Windows Vista SP1 in Software

Extra features

New features are mostly related to security: BitLocker drive encryption (only available in Ultimate and Enterprise version of the operating system) was previously restricted only to the system partition unless you resorted to the command line, but can now be applied to other local partitions and volumes. There's also an extra three-pronged BitLocker authentication method, using TPM, USB hardware token and a PIN.

Technical encryption enhancements include a random-number generator able to use a TPM (trusted platform module), and on the data-security front the Vista Backup tool can now back up files encrypted using EFS (encrypted file system).

Microsoft claims to be working hard to get Vista compatible with as many applications as possible, but there are some that work under pre-SP1 Vista and then break after the install. To be fair, the list is very short - you'll find it here, and there are workarounds or updates for most of them.

Other enhancements claimed for SP1 include improved network browsing speed, better battery life in some circumstances and the removal of "the occasional 10-second delay between pressing CTRL-ALT-DELETE and the password prompt appearing". These are problems that manifest themselves in very specific conditions - the battery life on our test laptop was unchanged - but if you've experienced them, you may find that SP1 will solve the problem.

The remainder of SP1's enhancements are more difficult to assess, being generally focussed around increased reliability. IPv6 networking is claimed to be more robust, for instance, and Microsoft also claims SP1, "improves overall media performance by removing many glitches," which is a statement that's so vague as to be untestable. If you find you have trouble with media playback though, it's worth giving SP1 a whirl.

Given that it's free, the only reason that there might have been not to install SP1 were if it caused significant problems that the original didn't. We've certainly not come across any of those during our testing. So, while it's not a silver bullet that will silence the ranks of its critics, SP1 looks a solid release that you should install as soon as it's available.

Author: David Fearon