Vista SP2 Compcln.exe and Other Notable Changes in Service Pack 2
According to Microsoft, Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista delivers an evolution in terms of compatibility, reliability, and performance, as compared with Service Pack 1.
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12.12.2008 Adding fonts to cmd.exe
Be default, the properties on a cmd.exe window allow you to select either Raster Fonts or Lucida Console. You can add other monospace fonts to the list via the registry.
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15.8.2007 Windows Help program (WinHlp32.exe) for Vista
Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) is a Help program that has been included with Microsoft Windows versions starting with the Microsoft Windows 3.1 operating system.
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9.3.2007 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.
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15.6.2009 Windows Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2 download
Microsoft has released a standalone installer for Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 today.
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27.5.2009 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 Microsofts 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.
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1.3.2009 Where is Vista SP2?
Even though Microsoft seems increasingly reticent to say the V word (Vista), some users still do care. Ive had several readers ask me when the Redmondians are going to release Vista SP2 on the Microsoft Download site.
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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 whove been working with test builds for the past few months.
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4.12.2008 Office 2007 SP2
Were pleased to announce that Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the 2007 Microsoft Office system is expected to be released in the near future. Although we arent yet announcing the exact release date, it will fall between February and April of 2009.
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1.4.2009 Windows Server 2003 SP2
With an absence of fanfare, but otherwise on schedule, Microsoft opened up its download page for Service Pack 2 of Windows Server 2003, both 32-bit and 64-bit editions.
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14.3.2007 Get ready for Vista and Win2k8 SP2!
Just a heads up to prepare for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2.
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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.
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5.6.2009 DOWNLOAD Microsoft Office 2003 SP2
Microsoft Office has evolved from a suite of personal productivity products to a more comprehensive and integrated system. Building on the familiar tools that many people already know, the Microsoft Office System includes programs, servers, services, and solutions designed to work together to help address a broad array of business problems.
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14.12.2005 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.]
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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.
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26.10.2008 With Vista SP2, Microsoft is back on track
From the other side of the world comes a report that Windows Vista Service Pack 2 will be released to manufacturing in April 2009, roughly a year after SP1.
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2.12.2008 Microsoft Vista SP2 beta: Nothing new has been added
If you install the beta of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) expecting to see visible changes to your version of Vista, you'll be sorely disappointed.
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9.12.2008 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.
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29.4.2009 How Office SP2 manages to reduce interoperability
Microsoft recently released service pack two (SP2) for their flagship office product, Office 2007.
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21.5.2009 DirectX 11 for Windows Vista SP2 Available
Microsoft is beginning to backport Windows 7 features to Windows Vista, and as an integral part of the process, the company is also upgrading Vistas graphics technology to the level of Windows 7.
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12.9.2009 Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP2 Released
Microsoft recently released Exchange Server 2003 SP2 to the masses.
Following on from a public beta, SP2 enables devices with Windows Mobile 5 and the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0 to accept push mail similar to Research In Motion's (RIM) Blackberry devices. SP2 uses an HTTP connection, maintained by the device, to push new e-mail messages, calendar, contact, and task notifications to the device.
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Rootkits are taking over Windows XP SP2 Machines
According to a recent report on eweek, more than 20% of malware found on machines are stealth rootkits.
Jason Garms, architect and group program manager in Microsoft's Anti-Malware Technology Team, said the open-source FU rootkit ranks high on the list of malicious software programs deleted by Microsoft's monthly Anti-Virus update. The rootkits are being detected and removed from Windows XP (gold) versions but infection rates on XP SP1 and XP SP2 machines are also high.
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7.12.2005 Microsoft: XP SP2 Adoption Lags Overseas
More than a year after Microsoft Corp. shipped Windows XP Service Pack 2 as a massive security-centric OS makeover, customer adoption internationally continues to lag at disappointing levels, according to a senior Redmond executive. Stuart McKee, Microsoft's U.S. National Technology Officer, said the overall install rate of XP SP2 was just shy of 70 percent, but in countries such as Spain and Korea, adoption of the service pack dips into the 50 percent range.
In Japan, Germany and France, the install rate is in the range of 75 percent, McKee said. During a keynote at the Security Summit East here, McKee said Microsoft has so far distributed more than 250 million copies of XP SP2 to provide a hardened shell around the operating system but the low upgrade levels remains a disappointment.
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16.12.2005 Windows PE SP2 (Pre installation Environment)
The Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) makes IT professionals more productive by providing powerful preparation and installation tools for Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Windows Server 2003. With Windows PE, IT staff can build custom solutions that speed deployment through automation, so they spend less time and effort keeping desktops updated.
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9.2.2006 Windows XP SP2 Original genuine x86
Thanks to fattodahill for this download. This is the original genuine version of Windows XP (32-Bit). This version does not requires cracks or genuine hacks!
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2.5.2007 More Free Windows to Keep Vista and XP SP2 Company
Without indicating a strong affinity for the open source business model Microsoft is rather generous with its operating systems.
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1.4.2008 Vista SP2 and Windows 7 by the End of June 2009
The evolution of the Windows client, involving both Windows Vista (now with Service Pack 1) and Windows 7, appears to be closer than Microsoft is ready to acknowledge officially.
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18.10.2008 Vista SP2 Build 16489 released to testers
Microsoft has released an early beta build of Vista SP2 to testers according to those familiar with the beta program.
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24.10.2008 Download Vista SP2 Beta via Windows Update
If you like to stay on the bleeding edge of technology (and youre running Vista) you may want to consider modifying two registry keys on your system so that you can participate in the Vista SP2 Beta program.
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3.11.2008 XP Availability Extended Despite Vista SP2 and Windows 7
While it is cooking Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft has also managed to further extend the availability of Windows XP. With the 32-bit version of Vista's precursor at Service Pack 3, and at SP2 for the 64-bit flavor, Windows XP will now live until June 2009.
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22.12.2008Updated Internet Explorer Application Compatibility VPC Images Available
VPC Hard Disk Image for testing websites with different IE versions on Windows XP SP2, Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista.
This
download page contains four separate VPC images, depending on what you want to test.
- IE6-XPSP3_VPC.exe contains a Windows
XP SP3 with IE6 VHD file
- IE7-XPSP2_VPC.exe contains a Windows XP SP2 with IE7 VHD file
- IE8B2-XPSP3_VPC.exe
contains a Windows XP SP3 with IE8 Beta 2 VHD file
- IE7-VIS1.exe+IE7-VIS2.rar+IE7-VIS3.rar contain a Vista Image with IE7 VHD
file.
Note: For The Vista image, you will need all three files, downloaded and in the same directory, then simply run
IE7-VIS1.exe.
This VPC image will expire in January, 2009.
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29.08.2008Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 leaks
Microsoft is currently working on SP2 for Office 2007 and could be ready to release a final version as early as Q1 2009. Today an early copy has
leaked to BitTorrent according to Windows Vista Magazine. The file weighs in at 287.14 MB and is named office2007sp2-kb953195-fullfile-en-us.exe.
It's not clear whether the leaked copy is a beta, RC or final version of SP2 but the EULA states "012.0_B2TR_PRE.0_BTA_EN" meaning it it's
likely to be a test version. The build number is 12.0.6416.1000, compared to Microsoft Office 2007 SP1 which has the build version of 12.0.6331.5000.
SP2 will support Open Document Format (ODF), XML Paper Specification (XPS) and Portable Document Format (PDF).
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
02.04.2009Microsoft 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 -
26.05.2009Microsoft: 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...
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03.12.2008Microsoft 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 -
24.11.2008FSX-SP2(DX10) delay factors
Phil Taylor: This has come up multiple times, including in the comments of the SP2 post, so I want to cover why there is a time delay from when
Acceleration will be available and until the download for SP2 will be available.
Yes, there is a reason for the delay, even if
bits for SP2 are done.
Just because Acceleration English RTM'ed and the bits are frozen does not mean they are ready to release.
Since Acceleration and SP2 are separate products; that means completely separate efforts are required for setup, test, and international release
efforts.
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11.10.2007Internet Explorer 7.0.5346
Public Release
It seems that Microsoft have
updated the Internet Explorer
7 public download to build
5346. The new build supports
the following versions of
Windows: Windows XP SP2,
Windows XP Pro x64, Windows
Server 2003 x64, Windows
Server 2003 SP1, Windows
Server 2003 ia64.
jcxp.net -
25.04.2006Windows Vista SP2 RC to be released to public next week
Last week we had a rumor that Windows Vista SP2 RC was released to select testers. It turns out that it might be just a notification from Microsoft a
week ahead that RC is done and available for testing or it might have been a near final RC made available for testing to select testers. Microsoft
has announced today that the RC of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 is available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers to test prior to final
release. Microsoft will make SP2 RC available to the general public via TechNet during next week. As expected the final version of SP2 will be made
available in the 2nd quarter of 2009.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
26.02.2009Getting and Installing Windows
XP Service Pack 2
MVP Charlie Russel has spent
the past month answering
newsgroup questions and
presenting webcasts on SP2. He
offers some tips for a
trouble-free SP2 upgrade...
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04.01.2006Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Release Candidate
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Service Pack 2 (SP2) Release
Candidate (RC) is a cumulative
service pack that provides the
latest updates, security and
stability enhancements, in
addition to new features,
feature updates and utility
updates to the Windows Server
2003 operating system. SP2
helps secure your server and
improve system reliability,
security, and stability
thereby ensuring the highest
level of readiness to meet the
ever increasing demands of
today's server operating
systems. Windows Server 2003
SP2 can be installed directly
on the following operating
systems:
Windows
Server 2003 Editions (All
32-bit x86)
Windows
Server 2003 Itanium-based
Editions
Windows Server
2003 x64 Editions
Windows Server 2003 R2
Editions
Windows Server
2003 Storage Server R2 Edition
Windows Server 2003
Compute Cluster Edition
Windows Server 2003 for
Small Business Servers R2
Edition
Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition
You can get specific
information on the updates
contained in the service pack
in the knowledgebase article
KB914962
neowin.net -
20.11.2006Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC released
Last week the Windows Team Blog announced that the availability of SP2 RC for Vista would be available soon. Today they have posted that the download
is now live and you can find the information needed here. If you have a beta install of SP2 loaded on your computer it must be uninstalled before
attempting to load the RC. It should also be mentioned that this, while close, is not a final product and a few hiccups may occur along the way. You
can download the RC directly from the Customer Preview Program or use the Windows Update Experience Kit to obtain the RC for your personal computer.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
05.03.2009Windows 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 -
20.02.2009Vista SP2: Microsoft to push via Windows Update in 'the coming weeks'
Microsoft still isn't saying anything more about why Vista SP2 still isn't available yet on the Microsoft Download site, but company officials are
telling customers that Microsoft will
push SP2
automatically via Windows Update "in the coming weeks"...
winbeta.org -
21.05.2009Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2: watch this space
As some of you may recall, Windows Server 2008 shipped
with SP1 already installed. Microsoft
made this decision in order to synchronize the Windows client and server release schedule. As such, SP2 will be released simultaneously for both Vista
and Server 2008. Earlier this month Microsoft put up
Knowledge Base Article 948465, a
placeholder for both Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008...
winbeta.org -
15.10.2008Microsoft releases Office 2008 for Mac SP2
Today Microsoft announced the availability of Office 2008 for Mac Service Pack 2. SP2 delivers highly requested features throughout the suite as well
as a new tool, Document Connection, which helps improve access and browsing to documents on SharePoint and Office Live Workspace. "There's
never been a better time to try Office 2008 for Mac — with SP2 we are not only delivering on top customer requests midcycle, but also taking a
first step in bringing Microsoft software plus services to Mac users," said Mike Tedesco, senior product manager for MacBU at Microsoft.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
20.07.2009Windows Server 2003 SP2 hits Automatic Update on June 12th
FYI next week on Tuesday, June
12th Microsoft will begin
releasing Windows Server 2003
SP2 through Automatic Updates
(AU.)
To ensure more
control over when and how SP2
is deployed, users will need
to click on the AU Updates
are ready to install balloon
notification, accept the end
user license agreement and go
through the Welcome screen.
Customers can also use the
http://www.microsoft.com/downl
oads/details.aspx?familyid=fc1
45b0b-c148-445a-82ba-9b2f3aef6
e60&displaylang=en>SP2 blocker
tool if they wish to disable
delivery via AU completely.
WSUS admins are also
required to explicitly accept
the SP2 EULA in order to
enable automatic deployment.
winbeta.org -
07.06.2007Windows 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 -
29.04.2009Windows Server 2008: Terminal Services Architecture
Day Fourteen - we are past the halfway point. A good portion of the next two weeks will be devoted to Terminal Services and the new TS features. So
strap in, and let's get started ...
We talked about the
Windows
Server 2008 Startup Processes in an earlier post. SMSS.EXE is still the first user-mode process created during the boot process as in previous
versions of Windows. The change is that now SMSS.EXE launches a second instance of itself to configure Session 0, which is dedicated to system
processes. The instance of SMSS.EXE dedicated to Session 0 launches the Windows Startup Application (WININIT.EXE) as well as an instance of CSRSS.EXE
for Session 0, after which it exits. WININIT.EXE continues the startup process by starting SERVICES.EXE and LSASS.EXE as well as a new process, the
Local Session Manager (LSM.EXE) which manages Terminal Server connections for the machine.
winbeta.org -
14.02.2008Vista SP2: What's inside?
Mary Jo Foley: 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.
Over on the jkOnTheRun blog, Kevin Tofel posted
the most complete list I’ve seen of what’s in Vista SP2. In addition
to the known Vista SP2 features such as the ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively in Windows Vista and the addition of Windows Connect
Now for simpler wifi configuration Tofel says SP2 also will include...
winbeta.org -
03.12.2008Microsoft sends Vista SP2 invites - beta release in 4 weeks
Thanks to a tipster we have learned Microsoft has started sending Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 invites to select testers today.
Earlier this week it was
revealed the company will release SP2 before Windows 7. Microsoft recently put a
placeholder online for the upcoming betas of Windows
Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2.
Microsoft will include Windows Search 4 in Vista SP2 along with Bluetooth wireless support
(including latest BT 2.1 fixes), support for the new VIA 64-bit CPU and additional application compatibility updates.
For Windows Server
2008 SP2, Microsoft will include Backwards compatibility with Terminal Services licensing keys, improved manageability features with DFS/FRS console,
and Storage Resource Manager, print server and spooler performance improvements for printers in Windows Vista and Server 2008 and improved error
reporting in DFSR to help identify incorrectly configured deployments which lead to failed replication.
Both builds are "anticipated" to
be released within the next four weeks.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
18.10.2008
