Vista Updates

[Guest]

Have there been enough updates available via Microsoft Update to make Vista
a more stable and reliable OS or should one wait till SP1?

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

Have there been enough updates available via Microsoft Update to make
Vista a more stable and reliable OS or should one wait till SP1?

As far as I can tell Vista has been stable since it was released. Neither
of my machines has had a problem with any Vista rated software.

 

[Ian Betts]

Updates are sent as and when they are written, If you have auto updates set
their is not need for any SPs.

 

[Ken Blake]

Have there been enough updates available via Microsoft Update to make
Vista a more stable and reliable OS or should one wait till SP1?

In my experience it was stable and reliable on day 1.

Although you often see advice to wait for SP1 on any new operating system, I
think such advice is nonsense.

Hotfixes to Vista (and every other version of Windows) come out all the
time, as needed. At some point Microsoft decides to roll up all the existing
hotfixes into something called a service pack (they may or may not add other
hotfixes at that time). But there's nothing magic about the day when they
decide to do it, and it's entirely at their discretion as to when to do so.
Because it's an arbitrary decision as to when to release it, it doesn't
really represent any significant milestone in the life of the product.


If you don't want to install a new version of Windows immediately, that's
certainly your prerogative. But it makes just as much sense to say "wait six
months" or "wait 197.8 days" as it does to say "wait for SP1."


Personally, my experience with Vista is that it's been very stable since it
was released, as I said, and by and large I like it a lot. I'm not sure that
everyone needs to rush out to upgrade to it, but for anyone buying a new
computer and wondering what operating system to put on it, I certainly
recommend Vista.

 

[Clayton]

I find it is much more stable than first released with all the updates
applied, also latest and correct device drivers make alot of diffrence to
the performance.

I moved solely to Vista last week after waiting for certain manufactures to
release software I use alot for Vista..
I do support Windows XP for my customers so in the meantime, I'll be using
Virtual Machine for that.

There are still many buys that annoy me in Vista, but other than that it
seems good enough for me.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Ian;
Not entirely true.
Service Packs may have items that are not available otherwise such as
"Set Program Access Defaults" which was added to Windows XP with the
Service Pack.
Later updates may require the Service Pack before they will install.
Some hardware or software manufacturers may require a minimum Service
Pack level for installation.

 

[bob clere]

I don't share that enthusiasm but there may be a difference between the 32
and 64 bit versions. I'm running the 64 bit and the 64 bit browser has all
kinds of problems, missing command bars, menu bars and many sites simply
don't work with the 64 bit browser. I repeatedly get the same errors almost
on a daily basis. When Vista works it really works well but it's sort of
like an old car-when you go out to start it you're never quite sure if it
will run or not. There are regular updates for Windows Defender (which
rarely finds anything), but other updates seem to be few and far between.

 

[Clayton]

Sorry to hear that

I don't share that enthusiasm but there may be a difference between the 32
and 64 bit versions. I'm running the 64 bit and the 64 bit browser has all
kinds of problems, missing command bars, menu bars and many sites simply
don't work with the 64 bit browser. I repeatedly get the same errors almost
on a daily basis. When Vista works it really works well but it's sort of
like an old car-when you go out to start it you're never quite sure if it
will run or not. There are regular updates for Windows Defender (which
rarely finds anything), but other updates seem to be few and far between.

 

[Hank Arnold (MVP)]

As far as I can tell Vista has been stable since it was released. Neither
of my machines has had a problem with any Vista rated software.

Same here....

 

[Guest]

I have a computer 4 months old, OS Vista Home Permium, Can't install any new
software programs, Vista ready,thay say, but they will not work on my
machine. Waiting for SP 1, in hopes it will make things better.
Part of a SP is suppose to be out in about a week.
Been using computers for many years, OS updates are need all the time, to
keep up with changes and improvements.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

James;
Service Pack 1 is not expected until early next year.
What is available for some soon is a Beta of the Service Pack.

Beta by nature has its risks.
You should never install Beta anything unless you are prepared for
total data loss and performing a Clean Install of Windows resolve any
issues.
While that extreme is rare, it is the nature of Beta.
This applies to Beta from any source not just Microsoft.

Have you tried Compatibility Mod
Right click the program icon
Click Properties
Click Compatibility tab
Make selections as desired and click OK.

Verify with the program manufacturers their programs are compatible
with windows Vista.
Make sure you have all applicable patches from the manufacturer.
Get the latest hardware drivers.
Check with others using the same programs and see if they have issues.