Helmers Blog

It took me about 4 reboots before the update mentioned above showed! But finally I can install Vista SP1 RC1!

I’m curious if this RC1 release fixes some issues I still have with my Windows Vista Media Center (Live TV). Because my Live TV functionality is still not working 100%! When I’m done installing I will give you guys an update!

As announced earlier today Microsoft has released Windows Vista SP1 RC1 to the TechNet and MSDN Subscribers. It will be available to the public within a week. Don’t wanna wait? Just download the patch below (read the enclosed document) and install it now!

There are three ways to install the Service Pack :

• Windows SP1 RC1 DVD
• Windows SP1 RC1 Downloadable Executable
• Through Windows Update (via the patch you can download below)

The last option is by downloading a simple batch file which will set a few registry keys and then let Windows Update check for new updates. It’s just the same way you installed Windows Vista SP1 Beta. You can also wait a week : Service Pack 1 RC1 will become available to the public in about a week from now via the Microsoft Download Center.

REMEMBER : You have to uninstall previous version of ServicePack 1 before installing this one! Read the enclosed document first!!

Download the ‘Windows SP1 RC1 via Windows Update’-patch (uploaded it to my own server so it’s not a cumbersome to download, thnx 4sysops) Download the ‘Windows SP1 RC1 via Windows Update’-patch from the Microsoft Download Center

Install the SP1 RC1 at your own risk!! I’m not responsible if your system stops responding!

For the people who don’t want to install SP1 (when it comes available) via Windows update there is a service pack blocker tool available.

Microsoft has announced today that Windows Server 2008 RC1 is available for download!

What’s new in RC1 you ask? 

Microsoft is enhancing Group Policy with Group Policy Preferences, formerly known as  PolicyMaker Standard Edition and Policy Share Manager.  Group Policy Preferences will be available to Microsoft customers in two ways:

1. Integrated into the Group Policy management tools in Windows Server 2008
2. Integrated into the forthcoming Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows Vista, which will be available as a separate download in the Windows Server 2008 timeframe and will work in a Windows Server 2003 environment. 

The Client-Side Extensions for GP Preferences are included in Windows Server 2008, and down level versions will be available as a separate download for:

1. Windows XP Service Pack 2 and above
2. Windows Vista RTM and above
3. Windows Server 2003 SP1 and above

Group Policy Preferences provides three major benefits in increasing the manageability of Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008:

1. Further reduces the TCO of your Windows PCs by extending the reach of Group Policy manageability
   • Windows Setting
   • Control Panel Settings
   • Flexibility with how preferences get applied – administrator can initially set the preference and allow the end user to change the setting
   • Reduce images by providing richer configuration within an image
2. Provides simpler configuration via common user interfaces and reduce the need to create complex configuration scripts
3. Item-level targeting gives the IT Pro more precise control over the application of preferences

Together with the additional Group Policy management features available in Windows Server 2008, Starter GPOs and search/comment capabilities within the Group Policy Management Console, customers will have a greatly enhanced platform to manage their desktops and servers. 

Download Windows Server 2008 RC1 (It’s also available through TechNET Plus and probably through MSDN)