The beta version of Vista SP1 can be downloaded for free

24th January 2008

Now Vista SP1 RC Refresh can be freely downloaded from the Microsoft web site.
Microsoft has changed its course and provided free access to the latest beta-version of Vista Service Pack 1 to everyone.
Microsoft has provided beta-version Refresh to about 15 thousand of beta testers, which includes corporate customers, enthusiastic consumers, suppliers of software and hardware and other categories of users. However, since the 10th of January the company has already decided to make the beta-version available to all interested users through the TechNet Web site to obtain the widest possible picture and deep responses before the formal release of the software.
Recent researches proved the increasing popularity of Vista at the corporate market. Now 48% of respondents use or evaluate Windows Vista. This amount was 29% in February 2007 and 12% in the first survey in October 2006.
The company wants to release SP1 no later than Windows Server 2008, the official presentation of which will be held on February, 27 in Los Angeles.
Vista SP1 will include a number of corrections and improvements, but no new features. Microsoft will also update its set of migration tools for Vista, including Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.1 solution accelerator (the former Business Desktop Deployment), and Microsoft User State Migration Tools 3.0.
Microsoft representatives said that Vista SP1 RC would include changes optimizing the process of installing and configuring OS. It also includes all updates issued after RTM, enhancements to improve performance and reliability in performing such operations as copying files and network browsing. Some of the functions of administration, including BitLocker have been changed, which allow applying encryption to several volumes.
It is noticeable, that corporate users have been particularly slow with their upgrading to Vista, as many of them made XP their standard and do not want to start a new process of migration.