February 9th, 2008
A Vista SP1 FAQ
I’ve been working with Windows Vista Service Pack 1 for several months now, in beta releases and, for the last two weeks, in the final released code. I’ve put together this post to answer some questions I’m frequently asked about this long-awaited update. If you have a question that isn’t in this list, ask in the Talkback section.
Update: I’ve answered more questions in a follow-up post: More Vista SP1 answers.
How big is SP1?
That depends on how you get it. The standalone updater for the five-language version weighs in at 434MB (455,562,200 bytes) for the x86 version, and 726MB (761,740,600 bytes) for the x64 version. If you download the installer via Windows Update, however, the package is much smaller, typically over 50 MB but well under 100 MB. The updater uses Remote Differential Compression to compare the currently installed OS files with the SP1 files on the server, downloads the changed portions from the Windows Update server, and then combines the updates with the unchanged contents on the computer being upgraded.
The 32–bit standalone installer is approximately 60% larger than Windows XP Service Pack 2. Delivered via Windows Update, Vista SP1 is slightly smaller than the Windows Update version of XP SP2.
Will SP1 install on my copy of Windows Vista?
Yes, as long as you have a retail, OEM, or Enterprise edition in English, German, French, Spanish, or Japanese. If you have any other language packs installed (in Vista Ultimate or Enterprise), you’ll have to uninstall them first. A standalone updater for all worldwide languages will be available in April.
What are the file names and MD5 hashes of the standalone updaters?
The following information applies to the standalone 5-language packages:
- x86 (32-bit): Windows6.0-KB936330-X86-wave0.exe
MD5 checksum: d597866e93bc8f80ecca234c4e9ce5a2 - x64 (64-bit): Windows6.0-KB936330-X64-wave0.exe
MD5 checksum: 983308426e8ee7649f53b41f4e5c42d4
How long does the SP1 installation take?
Usually under an hour, assuming you have reasonably modern hardware. Some people claim to have completed an install in less than a half-hour; an upgrade that takes significantly longer might indicate problems with installed hardware or software.
Why does the updater restart so many times?
If you install SP1 using the standalone installer today, several prerequisite packages must be installed first. If you allow Windows Update to do this automatically, the prequisite packages will be installed over a period of several days. If you force the update process by manually checking the Windows Update server after installing each update, you’ll have to reboot as needed. If you use the standalone installer, each prerequisite is downloaded and installed automatically, and the system is restarted if necessary. [Update: After some testing I have determined that the prerequisite packages are included in the standalone installer. If you use this method to install SP1, you'll see each of these necessary updates installed first, but no downloading is necessary.]
The SP1 prerequisites are as follows:
- All updates marked as ‘Important’ in Windows Update must be installed before the SP1 upgrade begins. One or more of these updates may require a reboot. [Update: This condition applies only when you choose to install SP1 via Windows Update. If you use the standalone SP1 package, all updates are included in the installer and no downloads are required at all. I have confirmed this with testing on both x86 and x64 installations of Windows Vista.]
- For systems running Vista Ultimate Enterprise, the 935509 update is installed. This package, available on Windows Update now, updates BitLocker components. It requires a reboot and cannot be removed.
- Next, update 938371 is installed. This package requires a reboot after installation. Its official description is as follows:
…updates several internal components that Windows Vista requires in order to install or to uninstall Service Pack 1 more reliably. This update must be applied separately before you install Windows Vista SP1 to make sure that Windows Vista SP1 can be installed or removed from the computer. This update is necessary to install and to uninstall Windows Vista SP1 on all editions of Windows Vista. This update will be available on the Windows Update Web site soon after the release of update 935509 and before the release of Vista SP1.
- Update 937287 is the “installer” code for the service pack, also called the servicing stack. It does not require a reboot. Its official description is:
…a prerequisite package that contains updates to the Windows Vista installation software. The installation software is the component that handles the installation and removal of software updates, language packs, optional Windows features, and service packs. This update is necessary to successfully install and uninstall Windows Vista SP1 on all editions of Windows Vista. This update will be available on the Windows Update Web site soon after the release of update 935509 and before the release of Windows Vista SP1.
After all those packages are installed, the system begins installation of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, which is officially designated as update 936330. This requires one reboot in the middle of the installation and another after the installation is complete.
Next –>
Pages: 1 2
Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
Subscribe to Ed Bott's Microsoft Report via Email alerts or RSS.
| 02/09/08
