Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (false alarm).

[evilfantasy]

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is now available.

Looks like the download was titled wrong. It is the RTM (Released to Manufaturers) version.

[soybean]

This paragraph, from that link, leaves me a bit confused:

"If you already installed the Service Pack to your machine by using the standalone package, you must uninstall before you scan Windows Update for Windows Vista SP1."

Why download and install that standalone package and then have to uninstall it before you scan Windows Update for Windows Vista SP1? 

What happens if we install the standalone package and then open Windows Update under normal update procedures?  Will Windows Update simply proceed to scan for any updates other than SP1?

[evilfantasy]

They are referring (pretty sure) to the Beta package that has been out for some time.

You can't install the new SP over the old (beta) one.

EDIT: From a thread I was involved in with a Beta tester.

So yes they are referring to the SP1 RC betas.

Before You Install

You must uninstall any previous versions of Windows Vista SP1 before installing Windows Vista SP1 RC

To uninstall previous version of Windows Vista SP1
Open the Programs and Features control panel and select View installed updates. In the Microsoft Windows section, right-click Service Pack for Windows (936330) and select Uninstall.

Your system will now uninstall the previous version of Windows Vista SP1 Beta and may reboot multiple times.

Please wait one hour after uninstalling a previous version of Windows Vista SP1 before installing Windows Vista SP1 RC. The installer service needs to clean up and complete the uninstall prior to installing the RC. Failing to do this can result in installation errors when installing the RC version.

Windows Vista SP1 RC is pre-release software and will change before the final release. Windows Vista SP1 RC is for individuals, organizations, and technical enthusiasts who are comfortable evaluating pre-release software and is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you have a backup of your data prior to installing any pre-release software.

Windows Vista SP1 RC is time-limited software.

Windows Vista SP1 RC will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date. After installation your desktop will show the text “Evaluation Copy”. This does not mean that your system is no longer genuine but that you have installed a test version of software which is time-limited. The “Evaluation Copy” text will appear on your desktop after the second reboot after installing the service pack. Likewise, the “Evaluation Copy” text will remain on your desktop during the first reboot after uninstall the service pack, but will disappear after the next reboot.

If you install Windows Vista SP1 RC it is strongly recommended that you install the final version of Windows Vista SP1 when it is released. To do this, you will be required to uninstall this RC version of Windows Vista SP1.

Assisted support (phone, email and online chat) is not available from Microsoft Help and Support for this RC release of Windows Vista SP1. Self-help and peer support is available through the Windows Vista SP1 forum.
You must have a genuine copy of Windows Vista installed prior to installing Windows Vista SP1 RC.

[soybean]

... yes they are referring to the SP1 RC betas.

If that's the case, they sure failed to make that clear in their write-up about it.  Nowhere do they mention RC or beta.  And, the release date shown there, 2008-02-05, which is today, also seems to imply the anticipated, final SP1 has been released. 

[evilfantasy]

OK, maybe I am off a little on my information. Looks like this had been available as a standalone for a week or so.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 stand-alone packages do not contain the updated Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Help files

January 28, 2008 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937286

[evilfantasy]

They now removed it from the download page.

They titled it wrong.

It isn't available yet.

[Broni]

Consumer download available in March...
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,50840.0.html