Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Server 2008 is here

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Microsoft released Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to the Download Center and Windows Update. The Service Packs are available in five languages (English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish). Localized packages in your favorite languages (not including Medieval Swahili) are expected to arrive within two weeks. (unofficially available here)

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 are now available on Windows Update. It will feature on Automatic Updates from June 30th, 2009. Be sure to prepare a blocker tool within the next five weeks, if you don’t fancy it.

 

Windows Vista Service Pack 2

VistaSP2Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is the second Service Pack for Windows Vista. Windows Vista Service Pack 2 includes all hotfixes and security updates to date for Windows Vista with Service Pack 1. For a complete list take a look here.

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is not a cumulative update. It does not contain the updates from Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Installation of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 requires Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

New functionality

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 also introduces some new functionality:

  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • Windows Search 4.0
  • Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi Configuration
  • Improved performance for Wi-Fi connections after resuming from sleep mode
  • exFAT file system now supports UTC timestamps
  • Support for new form factors, such as ICCD/CCID
  • Improved performance for the RSS feeds sidebar
  • Ability to record data to Blu-Ray media
  • Improvements in Media Center (Content protection for TV)
  • Improvements in application compatibility
  • Improvements in reliability
  • Support for the 64-bit central processing unit (CPU) from VIA Technologies
  • Removal of the 10 open outbound TCP connection limit
  • Improved power management

 

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2

Srv2k8SP2Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 is the first Service Pack for Windows Server 2008. Windows Server 2008 already included Service Pack 1 when it launched. Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 includes all hotfixes and security updates to date for Windows Server 2008. For a complete list take a look here.

New functionality

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 also introduces some new functionality:

  • Hyper-V as a fully integrated feature
  • More authentication options for WebDAV redirector
  • Improved backwards compatibility for Terminal Server license keys
  • Event logging support in Statistical Process Control (SPC)
  • DNS Server now listens over ISATAP address
  • Improved power management

 

Downloads

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2
Five Language Standalone DVD ISO (KB948465)

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2
Five Language Standalone for x64-based systems (KB948465)

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2
Five Language Standalone for x86-based systems (KB948465)

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Five Language Standalone for ia64-based Systems (KB948465)

Further reading

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 RTW
Hotfixes and Security Updates in Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Windows Vista SP2
Windows 2008 and Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 2 Available Now
Service Pack 2 for Vista available to download
How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2008
Microsoft releases Windows Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2
Microsoft releases Windows Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 Released
Vista Service Pack 2 Standalone is available
SP2 for Vista, Windows Server 2008 now on Microsoft Download site
Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit
Windows Vista SP2 is live, ready to download

Author: Sander Berkouwer

Sander Berkouwer is the author of the Active Directory Administration Cookbook, speaker and blogger at DirTeam.com and ServerCore.net. He is awarded Microsoft MVP, Veeam Vanguard and VMware vExpert. Since 2009, Microsoft has awarded Sander with the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award. Since 2016, Veeam has awarded Sander with the Veeam Vanguard award.