Microsoft: No Delay for Windows Vista

earlier statements Windows blog

"Apparently this (earlier) post has created some confusion, which was the opposite of my intent," wrote Microsoft Vista product manager Nick White in a blog posting. "Aside from our having accelerated SP1 availability to MSDN/TechNet subscribers and volume licensing customers, there has been no change in the release."

The Redmond, Wash. software giant said that it will release SP1 to Windows Update and the download center on microsoft.com in mid-March.

Customers running Windows Vista with any of the first languages (English, Spanish, German, French and Japanese) installed can install SP1 by visiting the Windows Update site. If PCs have a language installed other than one of the five languages listed above, SP1 will not be available until the other Language Packs are released. In addition, any system that Windows Update determines has a driver that Microsoft knows will not update successfully will not be offered SP1.

"As updates for the problematic drivers become available, they will be installed automatically by Windows Update so that the result is that more and more systems will automatically get SP1, but only when we are confident they will have a good experience. MSDN/TechNet Plus subscribers and volume licensing customers have already been provided access to SP1 in first wave languages."

In mid-April, the company plans to release the remaining 31 languages to manufacturing (RTM) with availability to customers to follow.