Vista SP 1

It might sound strange to you but we actually asked average computer users if they or somebody they know are using Vista. After all, Microsoft has sold over 100 million licenses of Vista since the introduction of the operating system last February. Besides, this number is supposedly well distributed around the world. We wanted to find out why so many people hesitate to buy Vista and hence, we conducted an online survey. “My current programs won’t run since they are incompatible with Vista”, dreaded about 22 percent of those surveyed. They are not completely wrong in their assertion. Even with an installed XP emulator, some programs refuse to operate in Vista.

More than a year after Vista’s release, frustrated users feel that they have been unknowingly tangled in a beta test of incomplete software. Service Pack 1 (SP1) seems to provide relief to the disgruntled. Microsoft hopes that the release of SP1 will make Vista a full-fledged operating system. Yet, at first glance, it doesn’t seem to promise much. When the update is first run, the improvements are not very obvious. The situation is analogous to that in the auto world: If Volkswagen introduces the next Golf VI, it will look very much like the Golf V but underneath the surface the changed mechanism may actually make the vehicle run smoothly, or better still, it may even be a complete overhaul. That’s exactly how it is with Windows: the manufacturers claim to have improved features such as performance, security, and reliability under its bonnet.

INNOVATIONS IN VISTA SP 1

User account control: The user need not constantly certify for multiple UAC (User Account Control) messages any more—a single authorization will suffice in future.
Vista-Backup: Even data encoded with EFS (Encrypting File System) can be secured in the new version of the image program from Windows.
New recovery tool: The SRT (Startup Repair Tool) can even restore system files. Till now, users had to completely reinstall the system.
Quick unblocking: Earlier, pause time after hitting [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Del] used to average 10 seconds.
Remote maintenance tools: The security involved in remote access has been improved—the programs can now be equipped with a digital signature.
BitLocker I: Along with the system partition, the encryption program can encode other partitions and drives as well.
BitLocker II: The data can also be encrypted through Multi Factor Authentication simultaneously with TPM module (PIN) and a USB stick for increased security.
New activation: The KMS (Key Management Service) available in the ‘Enterprise’ version now operates in virtual environments as well.
Safe password: Users have to compulsorily input a password hint as reminders while installing Vista, or else Windows will not start.
Old group policy: On installing SP1, Windows deletes GPMC (Group Policy Management Console) and activates the simpler version, GPedit.
New file system: The new file system exFAT has been introduced in Vista with SP1. Created especially for storage media, it offers support for files up to 32 GB.
Better network behavior: In case of peer-to-peer connections, the users can also find out if they are behind a symmetrical firewall.
Faster Windows releases: Network shares can be recognizable faster with SP1, especially when it concerns a pure SP1 environment.
Quick ZIP folder: Packed archives such as ZIP files can be stored and extracted faster with Vista Service Pack 1.
Speedy pictures: The photo display is more powerful with SP1. The supplemented feature is particularly noticeable in large images.
Improved Internet Explorer: Vista is faster in loading and rendering loads of websites which use intensive JavaScript programming language.
New SuperFetch: The Cache function loads the frequently used files in the main memory. This happens much faster, particularly while booting.
Intelligent network logic: Vista identifies which network connections are useful, for example, when LAN and WLAN are activated simultaneously.
Upgraded remote access: The RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) has a new compression algorithm and thus requires less bandwidth.
Configurable defragmentation: Users and administrators can determine the drives they want to defragment.
Deleting functions for offline folders: Vista with Service Pack 1 can delete files from offline folders, even if they are not connected.
64 Bit emulator: 64 Bit versions of Vista-SP1 can be installed and used on a 32-Bit system too.
Complete display of main memory: Windows displays the entire main memory on systems, even those which have several OS running.
Better connection of displays: In case of external displays, the display and integration with Vista now work more conveniently.
More drivers: With SP1, Microsoft also delivers a whole series of new drivers for components from third party providers like printers or WLAN-N adapters.