Augusto Alvarez » Windows Vista

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 Released

Augusto Alvarez — Wed, 27 May 2009 03:08:15 +0000

Microsoft finally released Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2. The last SP for Vista was released 14 months ago and 800 bugs away. Windows Server 2008 SP1? Was already included in the final version of the operating system.

Download Links

Yes, Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 it is included as the same update.

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 – x86

Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 – x64

This update will appear in Windows Update starting June 30. And if you are asking about getting the media installation for Vista or Windows Server 2008 with the SP2 slipstreamed, you will need an MSDN or TechNet Subscription.

Improvements and Changes Applied

Applications compatibility

Solved several issues presented on common applications like ZoneAlarm or Spysweeper.

Hardware

Support for 64-bit CPU from VIA Technologies.
Solving performance issues with wireless connections after sleep mode.
Ability to record Blu-Ray media.
Bluetooth 2.1

Operating System Experience

Windows Search 4.0 included
SP2 has no limit on the number of half open outbound TCP connections.

Enterprise Improvements

WebDav redirector options increased.
Improved Power Management. Including Group Policy settings.
Terminal Services license keys improved backward compatibility.

To check the full list of improvements, check this link.

As an important notes:

If you have installed a previous beta for this SP2 or the RC, you will need to remove to install the final version.
The SP2 it is not a cumulative update. So having the SP1 installed it is a requirement.

Cheers!

Free eBook from this Month: Windows Vista Resource Kit

Augusto Alvarez — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:24:05 +0000

Microsoft Press keeps celebrating their 25th anniversary, that’s why you continue to keep getting this free eBooks all the time. This time you get the chance to get a free book related to desktop environments:

Windows Vista Resource Kit, 2nd Edition

On this book you’ll find:

Windows Vista Deployment
Desktop Management
Desktop Maintenance
All you need to know about Networking on Windows Vista
Troubleshooting

It’s quite interesting actually, on this book you’ll find several topics that can be quite useful as an IT Pro or a common user: Regarding to Vista Deployment you can find everything you need to know about deployments using Windows Deployment Services (WDS) or Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT), preparing Windows PE boot environment, etc.

Also take a look at the networking section that will explain the improvements that were made on this OS (firewall, IPSec, etc); troubleshooting hardware, devices and common errors.

Remember that these free eBooks will be available for a short period of time, so don’t waste any more time and get it!

Adding now another free eBook: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

Enjoy!

Cheers

Tiny Vista trick: Increasing/Decraising icons size with your mousewheel

Augusto Alvarez — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:38:11 +0000

For those who are not comfortable with the size of Vista icons on your desktop, there’s a little trick that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

On your desktop holding CTRL key and scrolling your mousewheel you can set at your placer the icons size.

This one also works on the Explorer window when you are navigating any hard drive or folder.

Enjoy :)

Cheers