Microsoft Sneaks Vista SP2 Out to Manufacturers

Microsoft hopes that will be able to release SP2 for Vista and Server 2008 before it releases a Windows 7 beta later this year. Several hardware manufacturers have already received advance copies of the software, expected to include Hyper-V and several security fixes.

The company is expected to release a public beta of Windows 7 towards the end of this year, and many current Windows XP users are expected to wait for the new version, without upgrading to Vista in the interim. This leaves little time to rollout the updates to Vista and Server 2008 if they are to precede Windows 7.

Microsoft has recently launched a $300 million marketing campaign designed to improve disappointing Vista sales, featuring comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

What the brand stands for, particularly in the case of Windows Vista, has been defined by the competitors. The time is now for Microsoft to get in and start telling its story.