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Windows Vista SP2: RTM Escrow build reaches internal testers

Sources say that the RTM Escrow build of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 has been released to a group of internal testers. The build number of this pre RTM build is 6002.17506.090313-1730, compiled on March 13, 2009.
windows - comments - 22.3.2009

Windows Vista SP2 RC-Escrow build released to testers

Ars Technica reports that Microsoft has sent out the RC-Escrow build of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to testers.
windows - comments - 29.1.2009

Windows 7 Build 7232 Close to RTM Escrow

Microsoft is making headway with the development process of Windows 7. The Redmond-based company has now taken Windows 7 all the way to Build 7232, as you can see from the screenshot attached to this article.
windows - comments - 15.6.2009

Windows 7 RTM-Escrow Build 7264 download

Windows 7 RTM-Escrow Build 7264 x86 and x64 download links available now! We now have torrent links so you don't need to grab it off of the FTP server, which has been hammered and is running slow due to the rush of people wanting to download the build. Here are the torrent links: x86 and x64.
download - comments - 30.6.2009

Windows Server 2008 is in Escrow! RTM build planned January 16th

Windows Server 2008 has gone into the final test stages: Escrow. If all goes well it is expected the RTM build bits to be delivered on January 16th. After that all the teams working on Windows have to "sign off" the build (till Jan 23rd)
windows - comments - 4.1.2008

Vista SP2 RTM Already Leaked and Available for download soon

Microsoft was yet to announce the releasing to manufacturing of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 that the bits had already been leaked to torrent trackers. On April 28, the Redmond company indicated that Vista SP2 (a package that also contains Windows Server 2008 SP2) had RTM'd.
windows - comments - 29.4.2009

Vista SP2 RTM General Availability Just Around the Corner

The general availability of the second service pack for Windows Vista is just around the corner.
windows - comments - 26.5.2009

Download Windows 7 RTM Technologies for Vista SP2

Microsoft has wrapped up a package of technologies it is backporting from Windows 7 to Windows Vista.
windows - comments - 28.10.2009

Vista SP2 RC in February, RTM in April 2009

Microsoft is laboring to serve Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista a little over a year after the availability of Service Pack 1, beating Windows 7 to the market.
windows - comments - 24.11.2008

Vista SP2 RTM DVD ISO Images Available for Download

Microsoft released Windows Vista Service Pack 2 to manufacturing on April 28, 2009. As was the case with Vista SP1, the RTM and General Availability dates failed to coincide.
windows - comments - 15.5.2009

Vista SP1 RC1 Flies Past Vista RTM and Windows XP SP2

Despite the fact that Microsoft has expressed its official position regarding testing Windows Vista Service Pack 1 ahead of its finalization, there is simply too much of a hunger for the service pack.
windows - comments - 27.12.2007

Windows Vista with SP2 RTM Slipstreamed/Integrated DVD ISO Image

Microsoft has finalized the Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, which has been RTMed as version 6.0.6002.18005.
download - comments - 27.5.2009

Vista RTM vs. Vista SP2

We are all well aware of the limping start of Vista on the OS market. Despite the fact that its launch had been highly anticipated for a good while, contrary to all Microsoft expectations, Vista was received with great reluctance and unwillingness on the part of XP fans.
windows - comments - 13.12.2008

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 reaches RTM

Microsoft has finally finished and compiled the RTM version of Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008. The full version string being 6.0.6006.18005, which company officials have confirmed is the final RTM version of SP2.
windows - comments - 28.4.2009

Download Office 2007 Service Pack 2 - SP2 RTM

It's time for the next stage in the evolution of the Office 2007 System. Microsoft will release Office 2007 Service Pack 2 today, April 28, 2009.
microsoft - comments - 28.4.2009

Windows Server 2008 with SP2 RTM ISO Download

Windows Server 2008 shares the same code base with Windows Vista, and that explains why a single Service Pack 2 (SP2) is released for both operating system. With the RTM of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 version 6.0.6002.18005, the Windows Server 2008 with SP2 slipstreamed or integrated DVD ISO images are also been prepared by Microsoft.
download - comments - 4.5.2009

Capture Windows 7 and Vista SP2 Images with ConfigMgr 2007 SP2 Beta

Capturing Windows 7 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 images, but also client assessment, updating and deployment are tasks that can be performed with System Center Configuration Manager 2007.
windows - comments - 15.6.2009

Windows Server 2008 SP2 RTM Multilingual User Interface Language Packs

On June 30, 2009 Microsoft released not only the remaining localized versions of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 to web and through Windows Update, but also those for Windows Server 2008 SP2.
windows - comments - 6.7.2009

Windows Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2 download

Microsoft has released a standalone installer for Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 today.
download - comments - 27.5.2009

Windows Vista SP1 vs. Windows Vista RTM vs. Windows XP SP2

Feb 26th, 2008. Principled Technologies has released two Microsoft commissioned reports on Windows Vista SP1 performance. In these tests, Principled Technologies measured responsiveness of Windows Vista SP1 vs. Windows Vista RTM vs. Windows XP SP2 when performing a set of common business and home tasks.
windows - comments - 28.2.2008

32-bit and 64-bit Language Interface Packs for Windows Server 2008 SP2 RTM

Language Interface Pack (LIP), which also known as Multilingual User Interface (MUI) is an update which can be installed into supported operating system to convert the user interface into another localize language. Similar with Windows Vista SP2 LIPs, Microsoft has also released LIPs for Windows Server 2008 SP2 RTM.
download - comments - 4.5.2009

Notable Changes in Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC and Windows Vista SP2 RC

Microsoft® continuously improves the Windows Vista® and Windows Server® 2008 operating systems by providing ongoing updates while working with software and hardware vendors to help them deliver improved compatibility, reliability, and performance. These updates are provided to customers by Microsoft’s hardware and software partners, as well as directly from Microsoft in the form of regularly distributed updates delivered via Windows Update. Updates to Windows are also delivered directly to some affected customers and preinstalled by PC manufacturers.
windows - comments - 1.3.2009

Windows XP SP3 RTM and Windows Vista SP1 RTM – Just Around the Corner?

Microsoft is in the final stages of cooking the upcoming service packs for Windows Vista and Windows XP.
windows - comments - 7.1.2008

Where is Vista SP2?

Even though Microsoft seems increasingly reticent to say the “V” word (Vista), some users still do care. I’ve had several readers ask me when the Redmondians are going to release Vista SP2 on the Microsoft Download site.
windows - comments - 20.5.2009

What is inside of Vista SP2?

Microsoft is continuing to broaden the pool of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) testers beyond the fairly small, select group who’ve been working with test builds for the past few months.
windows - comments - 4.12.2008

x64 Vista SP2 JPG Rendering Performance Inferior to x86 Vista SP2's

The JPG rendering process on 64-bit flavors of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is inferior to that on the 32-bit variants of the operating system.
windows - comments - 10.6.2009

Get ready for Vista and Win2k8 SP2!

Just a heads up to prepare for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2.
windows - comments - 21.5.2009

No Critical Patches for Vista SP2

Come June 9, 2009, Microsoft plans to release no less than 10 security bulletins for various supported releases of Internet Explorer, Windows client and server operating systems and the Office System.
windows - comments - 5.6.2009

Vista SP1 vs. XP SP2 - Benchmarked

Some people are concerned that in order to get an accurate measurement of boot time the system needs to be booted many times. Let me assure you that the systems here under testing were rebooted more times than most normal PCs are over the course of several months.]
windows - comments - 18.2.2008

Details on Windows Vista SP2 emerge

Microsoft has begun to release some details on the enhancements that they intend to bring with Windows Vista Service Pack 2. As we reported on Neowin last week, Microsoft has released an early beta build of Vista SP2 to testers weighing in at around 290MB.
windows - comments - 26.10.2008

Windows Vista SP2: RTM Escrow build reaches internal testers

Sources say that the RTM Escrow build of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 has been released to a group of internal testers. The build number of this pre RTM build is 6002.17506.090313-1730, compiled on March 13, 2009. The RTM build numbers are also finalised and would be 6002.17507.090319-1515 and 6002.17508.090320-1600 Windows Vista & Windows Server 2008 SP2 is expected to reach RTM in April 2009 and the final release announcement is likely to happen at the TechEd 2009 event scheduled for May 11-15, 2009 in Los Angeles. The release candidate version was made available to general public early this month.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 22.03.2009

Windows Vista SP2: RTM Escrow build reaches beta testers

Neowin earlier reported that the RTM Escrow build of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 had been released to a group of internal testers. Microsoft today released Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 RTM Escrow build to Connect beta testers. This build is available on Windows Update for download and install or by a number of other package options such as Slipstream versions and Standalone installers, for the Connect beta testers. The build string reads 6002.17043.090312-1835 which is different from the one we reported earlier. If you are a Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 Connect beta tester, you can download this build today from Microsoft Connect.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 26.03.2009

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 reaches RTM

Microsoft has finally finished and compiled the RTM version of Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008. The full version string being 6.0.6006.18005, which company officials have confirmed is the final RTM version of SP2. Currently circulating around popular BitTorrent websites, the final version is available in 32 and 64 bit versions. Microsoft is expected to announce public availability later this week. Screenshots of the file properties: Thanks to Neowin user Vask for the heads up.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 29.04.2009

Windows Vista SP2 RC-Escrow build released to testers

Ars Technica reports that Microsoft has sent out the RC-Escrow build of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to testers. An email has been sent to SP2 testers regarding this release. The RC-Escrow build is available for download from this Thursday as a standalone installer or via Windows Update or as a slipstreamed download. Microsoft claims that the service pack includes 656 individual hotfixes. The Escrow Build is a build where development halts and developers & beta testers start testing the product for any show-stopper bugs. Microsoft has emphasized this to testers to concentrate only on the regressions and confirmation of fixes when asking for feedback which includes the RC Escrow install survey.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 29.01.2009

Vista SP2 Released to Testers

Yesterday, Microsoft sent an email to select testers notifying them that the RC-Escrow Build of Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Server 2008 was available for download.

This Service Pack was made available to testers via Windows Update, as a standalone installer, and as a slipstreamed version. This service pack includes 656 hotfixes, and the usual tweaks.

At this "Escrow" stage in development, the Service Pack is essentially complete; unless major errors are spotted, this version will likely be very close to that of the RTM version.

One more public beta is expected before it RTMs however, so if you'd like to get your hands on one more beta build, your chance will come soon enough.

The only pre-requisite for the SP2 install is that you have SP1 installed; all other updates are included in SP2. Their reason for not making a cumulative update with SP1 already included is because of the huge filesize that would result. Most clients already have SP1 installed; new Windows Vista discs and Server 2008 was shipped with it included.

It would seem that, contrary to some recent rumors, SP2 will ship long before June.


jcxp.net - 31.01.2009

Windows Vista SP2 RC build released to testers

TechARP predicted last month that RC-Escrow build of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 will be released between the dates Jan 26-30 and the RC build between the dates Feb 16-20. The RC Escrow build of SP2 was sent to testers at the end of January and the rumor is that now Microsoft has released the RC build of SP2 to Microsoft Connect testers exactly between the dates predicted by TechARP. Ars reports that RC build is available for download as a standalone installer package or via Windows Update or as a slipstreamed download which includes 691 individual hotfixes.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 20.02.2009

Windows Installer 4.5 for Vista SP2, 5.0 for Windows 7

In June 2008, Microsoft released Windows Installer 4.5 on the Microsoft Download Center for XP SP2+, Server 2003 SP1+, Vista, and Server 2008. Now, with yesterday's release of the SP2 RC-Escrow build, it has been confirmed that the new version will also be bundled with the second service pack for Vista and Server 2008.




winbeta.org - 29.01.2009

Windows 7 RTM sign off set for July 13th

We have some big news regarding the Windows 7 RTM. According to Wzor, the final sign off is set for July 13th. According to a translation, this is the final roadmap for Windows 7: FINAL ROADMAP FOR WINDOWS 7 : 6/1 - 6/19 BUILDING RTM ESCROW - already assembled RTM ESCROW. 6/22 - 7/10 RTM RECALL - assembly and search for candidates to the final RTM release. 7/10 WINDOWS 7 RTM FINAL BUILD TARGET - build day "gold code". 7/13 WINDOWS 7 RTM SIGN-OFF - the date of signing the final RTM release! We previously reported that Windows 7 could RTM at the end of this month, but it looks like we now have a final RTM date.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 22.06.2009

Testers get RC-Escrow build of SP2 for Vista and Server 2008

Microsoft has sent out an e-mail to testers announcing that the RC-Escrow build of Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 is available for download. The company is letting testers grab it via Windows Update (available this Thursday in available languages of Vista and Server 2008), as a standalone installer package, or as a slipstreamed version in English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese. For those interested, the build string is "6002.16659.090114-1728" and Microsoft claims the service pack includes 656 individual hotfixes.




winbeta.org - 29.01.2009

Windows Server 2008 is in Escrow! RTM build planned January 16th

Windows Server 2008 has gone into the final test stages: Escrow. If all goes well it is expected the RTM build bits to be delivered on January 16th. After that all the teams working on Windows have to "sign off" the build (till Jan 23rd)



The week after that there will be "media verification" whatever that may be and then the Release To Manufacturing on February 6th.




winbeta.org - 06.01.2008

Microsoft readying RC of Vista SP2 for February 2009

Citing a source at Microsoft, Techarp has revealed that Microsoft is targeting a release candidate (RC) version of Windows Vista SP2 for February 2009. Microsoft sent invites to testers in mid October asking them to take part in the SP2 beta. Build 16489 was released to special group of testers in late October but Microsoft has been quiet since then. TechArp also believes the RTM of Vista SP2 will be in April 2009. Microsoft is readying SP2 so there are additional incentives for customers to upgrade to Window Vista now, instead of waiting for Windows 7.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 24.11.2008

XP SP2 vs. Vista RTM vs. Vista SP1: Gaming benchmark

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Here are the benchmark results that many of you have been waiting for - a look at how well ten popular games work on XP SP2, Vista RTM and Vista SP1.



Its been nearly a year since I took a look at the state of gaming under the Vista OS. The last time I compared XP SP2 to Vista, I was disappointed with Microsofts new OS as a gaming platform because I could get far more bang for my bucks out of XP than I could out of the new OS. Partly I put this down to immature drivers, but on the whole I was convinced that at the core of the problem was Vista.



So, is Vista worth bothering with as a gaming platform?




winbeta.org - 28.02.2008

Windows Vista SP1 vs. Windows Vista RTM vs. Windows XP SP2

Principled Technologies has released two Microsoft commissioned reports on Windows Vista SP1 performance. In these tests, Principled Technologies measured responsiveness of Windows Vista SP1 vs. Windows Vista RTM vs. Windows XP SP2 when performing a set of common business and home tasks. The results show that SP1 performs on par with Vista RTM and Windows XP.

The test show that as with Windows Vista RTM, overall performance is on par with Windows XP. It’s important to remember that Windows Vista is a more advanced operating system, which includes many more capabilities than Windows XP. By default, Windows Vista includes antispyware, a search indexer, and the shadow copy service. All these work in the background, providing important services to customers, but they of course take up a portion of the PCs memory and processor resource.

On several common business and home operations Windows Vista SP1 was noticeably more responsive after rebooting than Windows XP.


neowin.net - 28.02.2008

Microsoft delays Windows Vista SP2 by a month

Tech ARP reports that Windows Vista SP2 might be delayed until March. Microsoft will deliver a Release Candidate of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 in March and not in February. Also, Microsoft will send the service pack build to OEM and retailers only in the second quarter of 2009 and not in April. Below are the scheduled dates as predicted by TechARP: Image Courtesy: Tech ARP The time delay between RTM and Public Versions release is hard to predict as there was a delay of 2 weeks between Windows XP SP3's RTM and Public Versions and 6 weeks delay in case of Windows Vista SP1.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 22.01.2009

Microsoft releases Windows Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2

Microsoft has released a standalone installer for Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 today. The software giant posted some things to know about the service packs last month, one of the warnings is if "vLite" was used to customize your Windows Vista installation, you may have removed required system components which prevent Service Pack 2 from installing. Microsoft has a workaround for this issue. Microsoft is expected to post the bits to Windows Update in the coming weeks but if you are eager to install SP2 today then the download links are listed below. Download: Vista SP2/Server 2008 SP2 32 bit Download: Vista SP2/Server 2008 SP2 64 bit

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 26.05.2009

Windows 2003 KB: Slow network communication from Vista RTM (6000) to Windows 2003 SP2

Brad Rutkowski: This was one issue I worked on for quite some time a few months ago. We found that Vista clients were taking forever to download group policies from domain controllers in the regions while Vista SP1 and XP clients did not see the issue. If the local DC was running LH or Windows 2003 SP1, we didn't see any issue. If the server was running Windows 2003 SP2 though and had a certain type of hardware we would see the latency.



Based on customer reports, Windows Dev learned of more widespread devices in the network that dont understand greater window scale factors. So, they improved the heuristics in SP1 for when to limit or disable auto-tuning, which is why we only saw in in Vista RTM and not SP1.




The bug is in Windows 2003 SP2 and the details can be found here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947773



So if you find that you have vista clients experiencing network latency when hitting a Windows 2003 SP2 server (File server, DC, Exchange, etc) then you should look into this hotfix.




winbeta.org - 31.01.2008

Vista SP1 vs. XP SP2 - Benchmarked

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Over the past few days I posted two sets of benchmarks comparing Windows Vista RTM with Vista SP1 (first post here, second here). These posts generated a lot of feedback, and from reading this feedback it’s clear that what many people are really interested in is not the performance differences between Vista RTM and Vista SP1, but between Vista SP1 and XP SP2.



A few days ago I posted in reply to several TalkBack comments that I wouldn’t carry out these tests until XP SP3 is released. There didn’t seem any point. That didn’t satisfy the crowds who wanted to see Vista SP1 and XP SP2 go head to head. So, to cut a long story short, the pestering continued and I eventually gave in. So what follows are the fruits of nearly two whole days of work at the PC Doc HQ (the test was hampered by the death of a motherboard, something which rendered hours of work obsolete).



How does Windows Vista SP1 compare to Windows XP SP2? Read on …




winbeta.org - 15.02.2008

Windows Server 2008 is in Escrow!

Windows Server 2008 has gone into the final test stages: Escrow. If all goes well it is expected the RTM build bits to be delivered on January 16th. After that all the teams working on Windows have to "sign off" the build (till Jan 23rd)



The week after that there will be "media verification" whatever that may be and then the Release To Manufacturing on February 6th.



We already know Windows Server 2008 build is in sync with Windows Vista Service Pack 1, so do the math.



February 27th is the worldwide launch of Windows Server 2008 together with Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008 in Los Angeles. There will be launch events around that day all over the world.



SQL Server 2008 has not yet RTMed yet on its launch day!



WSUS 3.0 SP1 can be expected in this time frame too.




jcxp.net - 05.01.2008

Rumored New Vista plans

Paul Thurrott is launching an interesting rumor today, this time about Windows Vista's release date. According to him, the RC1 version of Vista would be released in early september, as opposite to other rumors which said RC1 was around the corner and was due anytime soon. RC1 would be in this case, build 5520, which has been placed into escrow recently.

The most interesting rumor he reports is about Windows Vista RTM, which is set to be escrowed in september, setting at the same time an RTM release on October 25.


jcxp.net - 15.08.2006

Microsoft: Vista SP2, Windows Server SP2 betas Thursday

Not one half-hour after Microsoft responded to BetaNews' inquiry, the company reversed its position, effectively announcing that the first public betas of Vista SP2 not in February, but next Thursday...
betanews.com - 03.12.2008