Microsoft offers two ways to get your Vista SP1 on

Today is a day that will go down in history because right on schedule and as predicted, Microsoft has unleashed the official, final version of Vista SP1 to the public.  It is available as a standalone installer or will be delivered via Windows Update in due time.

If you want to get Vista SP1 immediately, it might be faster just to download the 430MB standalone version directly from Microsoft.  This version of the service pack applies to systems running the following languages: English (US), French, German, Japanese, or Spanish.

Another rollout for additional languages is due in short order.

However, you may want to think twice before installing Vista SP1; as stated before there aren’t many noticeable changes with the service pack.  It will also not install on systems with “certain drivers” but Microsoft has not been specific on that.

The safest way to get Vista SP1 is to check automatic updates but if you’re sure your system is all set for it then the standalone installer is the fastest way to get it.

The update will not be automatically offered to systems that have those “certain drivers” and if you do have them and try the standalone installer, it will fail according to PCMag (at least based on the photo gallery).

• Microsoft releases last prerequisite Vista updates in preparation of SP1 release
• Microsoft pulls update required for Vista SP1
• Microsoft fixes Vista SP1 reboot issue
• Microsoft posts Vista SP1 to automatic updates for 64-bit systems
• Microsoft updates Vista SP1 RC, releases "refresh" version to public