Windows Tools, Help & Guides

Windows Guides reader, Jas, asks the following question:

I installed SP2 and ever since my laptop has been a nightmare.  Shutdown takes between 4 and 5 minutes and involves an unnecessary screen  “CONFIGURING UPDATES”.  Boot is not so bad but still takes an agonising 3 to 4 minutes with screens displaying messages that stages 1 , 3 are being updated.  In both cases there are long periods of blank screens which gives the impression that the machine has stopped working completely.

Is there any way in which I can uninstall SP2 completely? I have tried the stand Vista update uninstall but it always fails with the message   “NOT ALL UPDATES WERE SUCCESSFULLY UNINSTALLED“.

This guide shows you how to remove Vista SP2 and answers Jas’ question about uninstalling Windows Vista SP2 when the conventional method doesn’t work.

Yesterday, I showed you how to remove service pack rollback files, which allow you to revert from SP2 to SP1 or from SP1 to no service pack. If you followed these instructions, this guide is of no use to you as the rollback files are gone and you are stuck with SP2.

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If you are happy with your installation of Windows Vista SP2 (UPDATE: go here if you are not), you can remove the files, stored on your computer, that will allow a roll back. I only recommend this if you are looking to save space. With hard drives as big as they are today, I see no need to remove these files unless you are below 10% free disk space on your operating system’s partition.

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Every month we take a look around some of the most interesting windows-related web-sites. We collect the best free stuff and write tips to help you get more out of Windows. Below you’ll find wallpapers, icon packs, screensavers, and freeware we’ve found over the last 30 days. We’ve also put together our most popular windows guides.

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in June 2008.

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When you install Vista SP1, a backup of all replaced files is made. This is done so you can roll back to pre-SP1 if you desire. SP1 has been out for some time now and many of you will no doubt be satisfied with using it. In this guide, you will learn how to reclaim disk space taken up by the Vista SP1 install.

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Microsoft is wrapping up the third and final service pack for Windows XP. Today, April 21, 2008, is the date when the Redmond company will release to manufacturing Windows XP Service Pack 3. But even with the wait for SP3 nearly over, Microsoft is managing not to breathe a single word on its plans. Until this point in time there has been no official confirmation pointing to the RTM deadline of XP SP3. At the end of the past week, I asked Microsoft to either
confirm or deny the leaked availability dates for XP SP3. Representatives from the Redmond company have done neither so far.
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Updates and service packs do not serve as exclusive methods of adding functionality to Microsoft’s operating system. In this regard, feature packs are designed to enhance a Windows platform with various components and features on top of the standard releases that are part of a product’s lifecycle.
Case in point: Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless made available as of April 16. This is Microsoft’s way of delivering added functionality to Windows Vista on top of the recently released Service Pack 1.

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Even though with the advent of Windows Vista the open source community saw the ripe moment for Linux to strengthen its grip over consumer PCs, the fact of the matter is that Windows still holds a firm grip over the vast majority of desktops worldwide. And there is no change visible on the horizon, especially as the two largest vendors of Linux operating systems have
no plans to go against Microsoft. Neither Novell nor Red Hat feel that Linux has sufficient driving force behind it in order to go against Windows, which until Windows 7 will largely be represented by Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Windows Vista SP1.

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Windows XP Service Pack 3, despite the fact that it is yet to be released in its final version, is safe from the latest security vulnerability impacting a range of Windows platforms including XP SP2 and Vista SP1. Despite the fact that Windows Vista was constantly applauded throughout 2007 as the safest version of Windows available on the market, the operating system is in no way bulletproofed. And even with Service Pack 1, an update designed to increase security, among other things, Vista is still
susceptible to attacks exploiting security holes. Of course that Microsoft has failed to reveal why XP SP3 is not on the list with the affected operating systems. In this regard, the company could have already patched XP SP3, or is simply ignoring the final service pack for Windows XP until its finalization.

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So I guess this is what you call teaching an old dog new tricks. A couple of days ago Microsoft released a new update for Windows Vista that adds additional wireless support and functionality to the operating system through a “feature pack”. Specifically it adds support for Bluetooth 2.1, a new “Unified Pairing” interface as well as “Windows Connect Now” updates and can only be installed on Vista SP1.

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Keeping a close eye on Microsoft is not exactly an easy task, moreover since the company has entered a new era of translucency over transparency. But at the same time there are a variety of sources orbiting Microsoft and providing enough crumbs from the Redmond feast. The problem in this context is the centralization of information. In this regard, the Microsoft EvNet Dev Team has made available a collection of no less than five gadgets designed to integrate seamlessly with the Windows Vista Sidebar and deliver content from the main videocontent websites focused on the Redmond company.

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