Thushan Fernando Uncut

Quick note to let you know that Microsoft has released Service Pack 2 for Windows 2008 Server & Vista for the general public.

Download: Vista SP2 / Server 2008 SP2 x86 |  Vista SP2 / Server 2008 SP2 x64
Download Size: 348.3 MB | 577.4 MB
Direct Downloads: Windows6.0-KB948465-x86.exe | Windows6.0-KB948465-X64.exe

KB Article: Microsoft KBQ948865

Service Pack 2 Details

x86

Build: 6002.18005.090410-1830
File Name: Windows6.0-KB948465-X86.exe
Size: 365,230,920 bytes
CRC: 3368C777
MD5: C9394FD32DB15619328AF4FF0315750A
SHA1: 106C0484D7449CC4B70353C21D0C0D63E4BA66C3

x64

Build: 6002.18005.090410-1830
File Name: Windows6.0-KB948465-X64.exe
Size: 605,410,472 bytes
CRC: 1737E14D
MD5: A3BCB1FFDB366397FA5FAB0898EB098D
SHA1: BE8D74ADC029FA7350FC1F0D32BEF853C0519A92

Enjoy! You can also slipstream this release into an existing SP1 installation media using vLite, just be weary of a couple of caveats.

Hot on the heels of Office 2007 SP2, Microsoft has RTM Windows Vista SP2 (also applies for Windows Server 2008).

This update brings:

• Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches
• Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack supporting the most recent specification for Bluetooth Technology
• Ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively in Windows Vista
• Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify Wi-Fi Configuration
• Windows Vista SP2 enables the exFAT file system to support UTC timestamps, which allows correct file synchronization across time zones.

More changes are documented on Technet or for more information see the Microsoft Knowledgebase Article KB948465.

• Release Notes for Windows Server 2008 SP2
• Release Notes for Windows Vista SP2
• Hot Fixes and Security Updates in Windows Server 2008 SP2/Windows Vista SP2

The Release Candidate was released in early march.

The slipstreamed versions will appear on MSDN:

Filename: 6002.18005.090410-1830_x86fre_Client_en-us-FRTMCFRE_EN_DVD.iso
Size: 3,243,413,504 bytes
SHA1: 25AD9A776503E6A583BEC07879DBCC5DFD20CD6E
MD5: 19CA90A425667812977BAB6F4CE24175
CRC: E2AD10F9

Filename: 6002.18005.090410-1830_amd64fre_Client_en-us-FRTMCXFRE_EN_DVD.iso
Size: 3,861,460,992 bytes
SHA1: AAEE3C04533899F9F8C4AE0C4250EF5FAFBE29A3
MD5: A1C024D7ABAF34BAC3368E88EFBC2574
CRC: 80B2EDB5

For the moment, keep your eyes on the Technet page (currently, the page title is “New Page copied from Windows Vista SP2″). Otherwise you can download them when available:

• MSDN: Windows Server 2008 SP2 / Windows Vista SP2
  
• TechNet: Windows Server 2008 SP2 / Windows Vista SP2

While your reading, Windows 7 RC should be available very soon! Build you should be looking out for is, 7100.0.winmain_win7rc.090421-1700. Its worth the wait

As for non-subscribers, it should be ‘out in the coming months’.

Thats right, hot off the press that Windows Vista SP2 RC & Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC is now available for your downloading pleasure.

• Windows Server 2008 x86/x64/IA64 and Windows Vista x86/x64
  • Download: 6002.16670.090130-1715_iso_update_sp_wave0-RCSP2.0_DVD.iso
  • Size: 1350.3Mb
• Windows Server 2008 / Vista x86
  • Download: Windows6.0-KB948465-X86.exe
  • Size: 338Mb
• Windows Server 2008 / Vista x64
  • Download: Windows6.0-KB948465-X64.exe
  • Size: 614.4Mb
• Windows Server 2008 IA64
  • Download: Windows6.0-KB948465-IA64.exe
  • Size: 441.9Mb

Enjoy!

Thats right, the moment you’ve been patiently awaiting for has finally arrived. Windows 7 Beta and Windows Server 2008 R2 is now available on Microsoft Connect, MSDN, and on TechNet for subscribers and testers.

Microsoft has promised the first 2.5 million a copy of Windows 7 Beta for the general public, so keep an eye out.

Theres already an update KB961367 being released and included in the items you can download to fix a problem playing MP3s.

Windows 7 Beta (x86) – DVD (English) Includes: Beta;	01-07-2009	Details	Keys	Download
File Name: en_windows_7_beta_dvd_x86_x15-29073.iso Date Posted (UTC): 12/22/2008 2:41:15 PM SHA1: 6071184282B2156FF61CDC5260545C078CCA31EE ISO/CRC: AABA5A48 Available to Levels: MSDN OS (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Pro (VL); MSDN Empower; MSDN OS (Retail); Developer AA; VS Pro with MSDN Pro (Retail); MSDN Enterprise; MSDN Universal (Retail); VSTS Suite (VL); VSTS Architecture Edition (VL); VSTS Development Edition (VL); VSTS Test (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Premium (VL); MSDN Universal (VL); VSTS Database Edition (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Premium (Retail); VSTS Test (Retail); VSTS Development Edition (Retail); VSTS Architecture Edition (Retail); VSTS Suite (Retail); VSTS Database Edition (Retail); BizSpark Startup Administrator; BizSpark Startup Member; Instructions and Resources Update to Windows 7 Beta (KB961367) To protect your MP3 files 1. Before you install this Beta release, back up all MP3 files that might be accessed by the computer, including those on removable media or network shares. 2. Install the Beta release of Windows 7; download and install the Update to Windows 7 Beta (KB961367) located on this page.

And the 64bit build:

Windows 7 Beta (x64) – DVD (English) Includes: Beta;	01-07-2009	Details	Keys	Download
File Name: en_windows_7_beta_dvd_x64_x15-29074.iso Date Posted (UTC): 12/30/2008 4:26:48 PM SHA1: E09FDBC1CB3A92CF6CC872040FDAF65553AB62A5 ISO/CRC: 8E2FAD39 Available to Levels: MSDN OS (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Pro (VL); MSDN Empower; MSDN OS (Retail); Developer AA; VS Pro with MSDN Pro (Retail); MSDN Enterprise; MSDN Universal (Retail); VSTS Suite (VL); VSTS Architecture Edition (VL); VSTS Development Edition (VL); VSTS Test (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Premium (VL); MSDN Universal (VL); VSTS Database Edition (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Premium (Retail); VSTS Test (Retail); VSTS Development Edition (Retail); VSTS Architecture Edition (Retail); VSTS Suite (Retail); VSTS Database Edition (Retail); BizSpark Startup Administrator; BizSpark Startup Member; Instructions and Resources Update to Windows 7 Beta (KB961367) To protect your MP3 files 1. Before you install this Beta release, back up all MP3 files that might be accessed by the computer, including those on removable media or network shares. 2. Install the Beta release of Windows 7; download and install the Update to Windows 7 Beta (KB961367) located on this page.

From Celine Allee:

“After much anticipation, Microsoft has now made Windows 7 Beta available for evaluation and testing to IT professionals! For TechNet subscribers, you can download Windows 7 Beta today here. The beta is your chance to help us with feedback that targets the fundamentals—the ‘quality bar’ that we are setting for Windows 7 on security, reliability, and performance. If you are interested in getting even more involved, the Windows Feedback Program is your chance to directly influence future versions of the Windows operating system. This program is limited to the first 500 IT professionals to sign up, so don’t delay!”

Oooo yeah!

Thats right, get it while its hawt! SP2 Beta for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 is available for your downloading pleasure. Weighing in at 338Mb its one download for both OS’s.

SP2 is an update to Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista that addresses feedback from our customers and partners. By providing these fixes integrated into a single service pack, Microsoft provides a single high-quality update that minimizes deployment and testing complexity for customers.
In addition to all previously released updates, SP2 will contain changes focused on addressing reliability and performance issues, supporting new kinds of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. SP2 will also continue to make it easier for IT administrators to deploy and manage large installations of Windows Server 2008.

Service Pack 1 is a prerequisite for installing Service Pack 2. Please make sure that your system is running Service Pack 1 before you install Service Pack 2.
Windows Server 2008 SP2 Beta and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta – Five Language Standalone version can be installed on systems with any of the following language versions: English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish.

Technet areas:

• Windows Vista SP2 TechNet
  

• Windows Server 2008 SP2 TechNet

Download links:

Finally after a long wait Microsoft have just RTM’d Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 weighing in at a hefty 851Mb (ISO). The update also includes fixes for .NET Framework 3.5, which brings some cool new features to the table.

Visual Studio 2008 SP1 delivers:

• Improved WPF designers
• SQL Server 2008 support
• ADO.NET Entity Designer
• Visual Basic and Visual C++ components and tools (including an MFC-based Office 2007 style ‘Ribbon’)
• Visual Studio Team System Team Foundation Server (TFS) addresses customer feedback on version control usability and performance, email integration with work item tracking and full support for hosting on SQL Server 2008
• Richer JavaScript support, enhanced AJAX and data tools, and Web site deployment improvements

The .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 delivers:

• Performance increases between 20-45% for WPF-based applications – without having to change any code
• WCF improvements that give developers more control over the way they access data and services
• Streamlined installation experience for client applications
• Improvements in the area of data platform, such as the ADO.NET Entity Framework, ADO.NET Data Services and support for SQL Server 2008’s new features

This effectively means the previous workaround for those who couldnt wait for SQL Server 2008 installation is redundant now that you can download a copy the final release!!! Yay for us!

If your like me and got down and dirty with pre-releases you’ll have to use the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2008 Hotfix Cleanup Utility first followed by the VS2008 Preparation Tool and try the installation.