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Information about Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Article ID:936330
Last Review:April 8, 2008
Revision:6.2
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INTRODUCTION

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is the set of Windows Vista updates that Microsoft has issued over the past year.

Windows Vista SP1 makes your system more reliable and easier to use. Windows Vista SP1 does not add new features. Therefore, it does not require you to learn anything new. Windows Vista SP1 makes your Windows Vista-based computer more enjoyable to use. The best part is that Windows Vista SP1 is available to you at no charge and with free installation support.

To learn more about Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/sp1.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/sp1.mspx)

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What to do before you install Windows Vista SP1

Before you install Windows Vista SP1, there are several tasks that you can complete that may improve your experience.
Make sure that you have at least 4.5 gigabytes (GB) of free hard disk space before you start the installation. To view how much free space is available on your hard disk, follow these steps:
1.Click Start, and then click Computer.
2.Click the hard disk that you want to check. (The system drive will have a Windows logo on the drive icon. The system drive is typically the C drive.)

Total hard disk size and available free space appear in the Details pane at the bottom of the folder window.
If Windows Vista came preinstalled on your computer, visit the OEM Web site for updates to software and to device drivers. These updates are usually available from the Support section of the OEM Web site. These updates will improve your computer's performance and reliability.
Scan Windows Update, and then install any optional device driver updates. To do this:
1. Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.
2. Click the Check for updates link in the upper-left pane, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
3. If any updates are found, click View available updates.
4. Review and then select any optional updates that install device drivers.
If you are installing Windows Vista SP1 on a laptop, plug in your laptop by using an AC connector.
Set aside extra time for the installation to finish. Windows Vista SP1 installation time varies based on your computer and based on your Internet connection. Installation can take several hours. At various points during the installation process, it may appear that nothing is occurring even though the installation is still in progress. Please allow the installation to finish.

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How to obtain the latest Windows Vista service pack

For more information about how to obtain the latest Windows Vista service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
935791 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935791/) How to obtain the latest Windows Vista service pack

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Review top support articles, or obtain free support from Microsoft for Windows Vista SP1 Setup and Compatibility issues

Microsoft provides free Setup and Compatibility support for customers who install Windows Vista SP1 on their existing Windows Vista computers. To obtain support for a Windows Vista SP1 issue, we recommend that you follow these steps:
1.Visit the Windows Vista Support Center on the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/11732 (http://support.microsoft.com/ph/11732)
2.To find content that is related to your issue, use the tabs on the left side. In particular, examine the tabs that are labeled Top issues, Error messages, and Installing and upgrading.
3.If you cannot find content that is specific to your issue, use the Contact a Support Professional by Email, Online, or Phone link in the upper-right corner of the window.
4.Make sure that you select Windows Vista Service Pack 1 from the Select a Product list.

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OEM support information

For information about how to contact your computer's manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/65416/) Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K

60781 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60781/) Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P

60782 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60782/) Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

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More information for advanced users

An overview of notable changes and improvements in Windows Vista SP1

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=107921 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=107921)

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Information about hotfixes and about security updates that are included in Windows Vista SP1

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/20184cb6-7038-4e82-a32c-4bc10ffe56ab1033.mspx?mfr=true (http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/20184cb6-7038-4e82-a32c-4bc10ffe56ab1033.mspx?mfr=true)
Note Currently, the list of hotfixes and security updates is available only in English.

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How to obtain release notes for Windows Vista SP1

The release notes for Windows Vista SP1 describe known issues for Windows Vista SP1.

To obtain the English version of the release notes, visit the following Microsoft Download Center Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=B5B681F5-F366-4AD2-BA10-6A7D209DE7BD#filelist (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=B5B681F5-F366-4AD2-BA10-6A7D209DE7BD#filelist)
To obtain non-English versions of the release notes, visit the following Microsoft Download Center Web site, and then select the appropriate language:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B5B681F5-F366-4AD2-BA10-6A7D209DE7BD (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B5B681F5-F366-4AD2-BA10-6A7D209DE7BD)

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For IT Professionals who are looking for technical information on evaluating and deploying Windows Vista SP1

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/37f23bde-283a-4341-9a8a-ca6eb86ac8a41033.mspx?mfr=true (http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/37f23bde-283a-4341-9a8a-ca6eb86ac8a41033.mspx?mfr=true)

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Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Deployment Guide for IT Administrators

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/5cf710a1-1414-4d11-97de-0748abdcec651033.mspx?mfr=true (http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/5cf710a1-1414-4d11-97de-0748abdcec651033.mspx?mfr=true)

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APPLIES TO
Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Starter
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows Vista Service Pack 1

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Keywords: 
kbinfo kbprb kbexpertisebeginner kbwinvistapostrtmfix kbtshoot KB936330

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