General FAQs (Continued)

Is a cumulative version of SP2 that includes the updates from SP1 available?
No. There are a number of reasons for this, the primary one being the overall size of the standalone package for SP1. Having a cumulative SP2 that includes the updates from SP1 would have made the size too large.  Furthermore, because SP2 is a single-servicing model, and since Windows Server already includes SP1, a cumulative SP2 would have meant a needlessly larger file for Server customers. Finally, in the consumer space the majority of customers have already installed SP1 over WU or will be doing so before SP2, so incorporating SP1 into a cumulative SP2 would take unnecessary time and bandwidth.

Do I need a Product Key to activate SP2 RC?
No activation will be required for RC installs.

Is Vista SP1 quality not sufficient, requiring that you do another Service Pack so soon after releasing Service Pack 1?
Automated feedback (telemetry) provided by Microsoft’s Customer Experience Improvement program since launching Service Pack 1, indicates that Service Pack 1 is equal to or higher than nearly all dimensions of Windows XP Service Pack 2 baselines. Based on this data we believe we have delivered on our promise of improved performance, reliability, application and device compatibility, as well as security in Service Pack 1.

Service Pack 2 is being developed primarily with Windows Server 2008 in mind, and will be the first service pack for Server 2008 since it launched. Service Pack 2, designed for install on Server 2008 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1, represents a single serviceability model we are adopting for these two products, making it easier to manage and deploy this service pack broadly in business networks. SP2 also rolls up all previous Windows Updates to create a more convenient updating experience for customers with new PCs.

When will Windows Vista SP2 be released?
We will be in a better position to more firmly address our release timeline once we have received feedback from our beta participants. We currently estimate that Service Pack 2 will ship in the first half of 2009. Editor : Our sources indicate that SP2 will RTM this month (April 2009).

What is a standalone vs. an integrated SP2 DVD?
An integrated installation (also known as "slipstream installation") means that the service pack is integrated into the operating system, and therefore the operating system and service pack are installed simultaneously. You can use the integrated installation to upgrade computers running Windows XP and to perform clean installations on computers that do not have an operating system.

A standalone SP2 DVD, also known as a ‘Patch DVD’, you use the stand-alone pack to upgrade computers that already are running the Windows Vista operating system with Service Pack 1 level installation. The download size of the stand-alone package is larger than the package applied with Windows Update. This method is recommended for :

• Applying Windows Vista SP2 to computers without (or with limited) Internet connectivity
• Applying the service pack to more than one computer using deployment tools such as Systems Management Server 2003 (SMS) or System Center Configuration Manager 2007 (SCCM).

Will Microsoft provide an integrated Vista SP2 DVD?
The ability to create an integrated DVD is available for customers, and Microsoft is still determining the demand to provide an integrated DVD.

If I installed a Release Candidate of SP2, can I simply upgrade it to a release version?
No. Pre-RTM builds are not upgradeable.

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