Service Pack 2 Release Candidate is now available for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. There is a 32-bit standalone installer (388 MB), as well as a 64-bit installer (614 MB). Contained languages are English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish. The additional ISO image contains all versions of Service Pack 2 RC.
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Release Candidate has the build string 6002.16670.090130-1715. This service pack follows the tradition of bundling all updates and hotfixes that have been published since Vista was published; and some new functions are added, as well as support for new standards.
Improvements in Windows Vista Service Pack 2
- Support for Bluebooth 2.1
- Possibility of burning Blu Ray media
- Integration of Windows Connect Now
- exFAT File system supports UTC timestamps
- Support for VIA 64-bit processors
- Enhanced application compatibility
- Patch against WLAN issues after stand-by
- Integration of Windows Search 4.0
- Improved RSS gadget
- Enhanced code for less crashes
- Service Pack Clean up tool
- More understandable / more useful error messages
The Service Pack RC is the last beta before the Final is released, already in April, according to some rumors.
Free Downloads:
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 RC 32-bit (388 MB)
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 RC 64-bit (614 MB)
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 RC ISO (1.2 GB)
Additional information is available on the Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta Customer Preview Program (CPP) pages on Microsoft TechNet.
Source: Diestelberg, M. (2009, March 4). Windows Vista SP2: RC ab sofort für jedermann. WinFuture.de. Retrieved 3 March, 2009, from http://winfuture.de/news,45623.html