Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) frequently asked questions

Article ID: 959064 - View products that this article applies to.
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Windows Vista Service Pack 1 FAQ

What's New?

What Are the Benefits?

  • Program Compatibility Updates
    • New compatibility updates for individual programs
    • All previously released updates for individual programs
    • For a complete listing of compatibility updates, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
      935796
      (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935796/ )
      Information about programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when they run on a Windows Vista Service Pack 1-based computer
  • Reliability Improvements
    • Updates for the most commons causes of crashes or hangs as reported by Windows Error Reporting
    • Improved Startup Repair in the Windows Recovery Environment
    • Fix for the lockup at a black screen during bootup. For complete information on this issue, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
      946532
      (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946532/ )
      When you start a Windows Vista-based computer, the system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
    • Fixed a "wake on ring" issue. For complete information, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
      944799
      (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/944799/ )
      The "wake on ring" feature still wakes a Windows Vista-based computer when you set an HD audio controller not to wake the computer
    • Fixed an issue with memory reporting. For complete information, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
      929605
      (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605/ )
      The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed
  • Select Performance Improvements
    • Improved network browsing performance
    • Improves the speed of moving a folder
    • Faster times for copying files
    • Improves overall media performance
    • After upgrading to SP1, you may not see overall performance improvements
    • For a complete listing of improvements, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
      936330
      (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936330/ )
      What you should know before you install Service Pack 1
  • Security Improvements
    • New security updates for a variety of areas
    • All previously released security updates
  • Support for New Hardware and Standards

What do I need to know before installing SP1?

What Do I Need to Do Before Installing SP1?

Make sure your computer is up-to-date with Windows Update and there is a minimum of 7 GB free disk space. The service pack will install with 5 GB free space, but some system restore points may be deleted to free additional space. It is recommended that you backup any critical data before installing SP1.

Do I Need to Update any Programs for Compatibility with Vista SP1?

While most programs that run under Windows Vista should run with SP1, you may want to check with the software manufacturer.

How Do I Install Vista SP1?

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
936330
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936330/ )
Information about Windows Vista Service Pack 1

How Long Does It Take to Install?

For most customers, the download size will be between 60-90 MB. For dialup connections, this download could take hours. Following the download, your computer will reboot several times during the install and can take approximately 45 minutes - 2 hours to complete.

Where can I get SP1?

Do I Need to Purchase SP1?

Vista SP1 will be a free download offered through Windows Update. If you have Windows Update enabled, your computer is set to automatically receive SP1. For more information, visit the following Microsoft web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/automaticupdate.mspx
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/automaticupdate.mspx)
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Note:
If Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is not offered by Windows Update, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to resolve the problem:
948343
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948343/ )
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 service packs are not available for installation through Windows Update

How Do I Install Service Pack 1?

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
936330
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936330/ )
Information about Windows Vista Service Pack 1

What if I have a problem with SP1?

What if I have a problem with SP1?

As of the writing of this article, the Microsoft Knowledge Base has the following articles related to problems with SP1:
947366
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947366/ )
How to troubleshoot Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 service pack installation issues
947876
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947876/ )
Error message when you try to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1: "Windows Vista Service Pack 1 cannot be installed on your computer"
948187
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948187/ )
A device driver is not installed or a hardware device does not function correctly after you install a Windows Vista Service Pack
948481
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948481/ )
How to troubleshoot sound problems that you experience after you install a Windows Vista Service Pack
947875
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947875/ )
A language pack is not available when you click "View available updates" after you install Windows Vista Service Pack 2
945681
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/945681/ )
System restore points and shadow copies of files are missing after you install Windows Vista Service Pack 1
949321
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949321/ )
The default printer setting may change after you install a Windows Vista service pack on a Windows Vista-based computer
949126
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949126/ )
A Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) card is not recognized on a Windows Vista Service Pack 1-based
946735
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946735/ )
The publish location is changed to "This Computer" in Windows Movie Maker when you double-click a publish location on a Windows Vista Service Pack 1-based computer

Other Questions Regarding Vista SP1

Can I upgrade to a different version of Vista after installing SP1?

You must install Vista SP1 before upgrading.

How Do I Remove SP1?

  1. Click
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    Windows Start Button
    , and type programs and features.
  2. Click Programs and Features.
  3. Click to select View installed updates in the Tasks pane.
  4. Click to select Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB936330).
  5. Click the Uninstall button.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall SP1. After the uninstall is complete, additional cleanup activities are performed in the background for the next hour. Do not attempt to reinstall SP1 until the additional cleanup activities have finished.

How Can I Tell if SP1 Is Installed?

  1. Click
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    Windows Start Button
    , and right-click Computer.
  2. Click Properties. Service Pack 1 appears in the Windows edition section.
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Note:
The information contained in the above article consists of excerpts from the Microsoft Knowledge Base. The technical information and troubleshooting described herein are for informational purposes only. For the complete selection of articles, search for Vista SP1 content at the following Microsoft support Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/
(http://support.microsoft.com/search/)
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Article ID: 959064 - Last Review: July 15, 2009 - Revision: 2.0
APPLIES TO
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 1
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