Microsoft Rolls Out Two Sets of Vista Fixes

It's not a full-on service pack, but it's something: Microsoft has released two sets of Vista fixes designed to address a variety of bugs and general performance issues that obviously can't wait for SP1 to roll around. So it's like a service pack, only smaller.

You can download the two packs here and here. Each has to be installed individually and requires Windows validation (and a plug-in download if you use Firefox). I'll warn you now to install them one at a time, too, to make the process much cleaner. Fixes are available for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista. (You're almost undoubtedly using the 32-bit version, mind you.) I've read that in about a week the updates will be automatically delivered via the standard Windows Update system, so you needn't rush to install these now unless you're seeing a specific problem addressed in one of the fixes, but they don't seem to hurt.

The fixes comprise a wide variety of issues. The first fix addresses a number of video driver issues, playback of high-definition content, printing issues, and other random issues. The second addresses some odd screen saver bugs, video playback, general slowness, and problems with Canon EOS cameras.

I've installed both packs and, while I haven't seen any dramatic improvement in any facet of Vista, at least I haven't seen anything broken further by them.

Remember, these are sanctioned fixes endorsed by Microsoft, so you aren't installing any third-party tweaks if you decide to run them. Both can be easily removed through the Programs and Features control panel, too, if you find they give you trouble. (Click on "Installed Updates" and look under the Microsoft Windows section, they'll be at the top.)