How to install service pack one for Windows Vista

Windows Vista has some less than subtle tweaks ready for your system. Installing the first major update for Microsoft's newest consumer operating system offers potential for many behind the scenes performance benefits while concurrently introducing a risk of making unwanted or unexpected changes to your system that could lead to potential instability.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer with Windows Vista installed
• A genuine product license for Windows Vista
• A stable internet connection

1. Back up the important files on your computer. Any documents you have created yourself or any files that would be hard to replace should get to priority. You can use the built in backup utility in Windows or a third party utility to back up the bulk of your data, but to ensure the integrity of you most precious documents in addition to the automated backup you should burn them to a folder on a CD or DVD yourself as an added protective measure.
2. Locate any system restore disks that came with your system. Many computers do not come with physical restore disks, and have a restoration partition on their hard drive. The job of the restore media is to restore your system to its factory original configuration and will allow you repair your system if the worst outcome happens.
3. Set a system restore point in Windows Vista. This will allow you do undo many major and minor system changes if they destabilize your system by reverting to earlier settings. Restoring your system from a restore point is less involved than restoring from media, but this option may not be available if the service pack corrupts your system beyond the ability to boot.
4. After you have done the first three steps you can actually go to the work of installing the service pack with peace of mind that you are ready for any gremlins that may reveal themselves during or after the installation. If you have a laptop make sure it is plugged into a power source so you will not have to worry about battery life as the install can take a while.
5. Download Windows Vista Service Pack One from Windows update or as a stand alone installer from the Microsoft downloads site.
   
   At the moment Microsoft downloads is the only place where the can find the update. There are links at the bottom of the article for downloading 32 bit and 64 bit versions of the service pack.
6. Run the installer or wait for Windows update to open the installation dialogue window. Answer a few questions as necessary, the wait. Most of the installation is entirely automated and will not require your attention. Use this time to get some work done around the home and just peak at your system occasionally. The system will reboot itself several times and this is no cause for alarm, the update will change many major system files and restarts will allow the installation to utilized the new versions of these files after the changes have been applied. The installation can take from 45 minutes to 3 hours or more depending on your system.
7. When the installation is complete play around on your system. Most changes will be behind the scenes, but make sure your documents are intact and that your programs run. You may need to update your anti-virus program for it to work after service pack one, but note any issues that may prevent you from using your computer as you want, need, or desire to use it.
8. If you are happy with your system you can relax, your system is up to date. If you have minor annoyances with your system, consult with computer savvy friends or see if you can live with them. If you decide you don't like your system's new configuration or if you system has been corrupted restore your system and now that you took the plunge and tried something new.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't feel comfortable as an early adopter or want to wait it out to see what issues others have, that is okay. It allows other people to deal with potential problems so you don't have to.
• Make sure your power will be uninterrupted during the installation. Plug in laptops and use UPS systems on desktop machines. If electrical storms during the day are possible in your area you may want to set off the update for a later time.
• If the update installer notes any incompatibility issues for hardware of drivers in your system it is best to heed the warnings and not proceed with the update. It is likely all but the oldest and most archaic hardware will receive updated or compatible drivers by later this year.