Microsoft makes Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3 official and set a date for Windows Server 2008

Microsoft has announced what has been long rumoured: there will be a Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and even a Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Windows Vista SP1 will address specific reliability and performance issues, support new hardware and support several emerging standards. The company says however that organisations can benefit from the security, management and deployment benefits of Windows Vista today without waiting for Windows Vista SP1.

The plans are to deliver the first Service Pack for Windows Vista in Q1 of the 2008 calendar year, but a beta programme will collect customer feedback before setting a final date. The SP1 beta will be released to approximately 10-15,000 private beta testers in a few weeks.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 be a rollup that includes all previously released updates for Windows XP and a small number of new updates. This will begin beta testing in the next few weeks and is aimed to release to manufacturing in the first half of 2008.

Microsoft says that neither the Windows XP or Windows Vista Service Packs are as significant a change as Windows XP SP2 was.

The upcoming Windows Server 2008 is now slated to release to manufacturing in Q1 of 2008. The joint global launch of Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 remains 27 February 2008.

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