So, it seems that release candidate one (RC1) for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is publically available. Looking through the notable changes document, following are some improvements that I am looking forward to (copied directly from the notable changes document).
- Improves performance over Windows Vista’s current performance across the following scenarios:
- 25% faster when copying files locally on the same disk on the same machine
- 45% faster when copying files from a remote non-Windows Vista system to a SP1 system
- 50% faster when copying files from a remote SP1 system to a local SP1 system
- Improves the copy progress estimation when copying files within Windows Explorer to about two seconds.
- SP1 reduces the number of UAC (User Account Control) prompts from 4 to 1 when creating or renaming a folder at a protected location.
- Significantly improves the speed of moving a directory with many files underneath.
- The Remote Desktop client in Windows Vista SP1 provides user interface improvements for user and server authentication. The RDP client streamlines the multiple steps end users must follow to providing their credentials to Windows Server 2003 (or earlier) Terminal Servers, and simplifies the management of previously saved credentials.
- Improves network connection scenarios by updating the logic that auto selects which network interface to use (e.g., should a laptop use wireless or wired networking when both are available).
- Improves overall media performance by reducing many glitches.
If you are curious about the update then I would suggest looking through the notable changes document. One other very interesting point in there was…
- While not reflected in the initial release candidate this week, we will also be making changes effective with SP1 in how we differentiate the experience customers have using non-genuine versions of our software. This is based on feedback we heard from volume license customers in particular as part of our Windows Genuine Advantage program.
I personally have a completely genuine Vista Business but I am interested in hearing what “differentiate the experience” means 🙂
Considering my experience with SP1 Beta, I am going to wait for the final release before giving it another try; especially since one of the digg users, aliguana, commented that “Be warned, you have to uninstall this before you install the final SP1. So hold off another week or two on your main machines.”