Microsoft recently released Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows Vista. A Service Pack is a rollup of updates, fixes and enhancements. Many techie advisors like to wait to install a new operating system until the first Service Pack is released because it means that the operating system has matured and gotten all the original bugs out.

Microsoft says that this Service Pack includes all updates that have been released since the debut of Vista in February 2007, plus additional improvements and better compatibility with some hardware and software. Two things that may be especially useful for Vista users is a purported speed improvement and native support for 802.11n, the latest wireless standard.

While you can surf over to the Microsoft website and download the Service Pack right now, you may not want to. Part of the reason for waiting is that some drivers, especially audio drivers are currently adversely affected by SP1. While this problem can usually be easily rectified by reinstalling the problem driver or changing default settings, most average users will not want to encounter these problems.

Microsoft realizes that there are some problems with the Service Pack and it is making some moves to make sure that this Service Pack is well received rather than a poke in the eye for Vista, which has already received quite a bit of bad publicity.

These moves include the fact that Microsoft won't begin the automatic rollout of the Service Pack via Windows Update until next month. Microsoft has also added some detection code to its update service that will block you from deployment of SP1 if your computer's drivers will be adversely affected. You will only be offered the update if your system can handle it.

So the best policy for most users is to just sit back, relax, and wait until the Microsoft Update offers you the SP1 download as part of their update process. If you have been doing automatic updates through Microsoft, you already have most of the important security updates, so there should be no rush to install Service Pack 1. However, some future software may require SP1, so you will want to install it at some point in time.

Although some technology reviewers are singing praises for the Vista Service Pack, it is not completely without problems. A small amount of third party software is adversely affected by this Service Pack. It should be noted, that this is not unusual for a Service Pack, since it often makes changes to the core operating system. The list of software that has incompatibility or reduced functionality with SR1 is mostly obscure or old software, Yet, when it comes time to install this Service Pack, you might want to check the Microsoft list of incompatible software at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935796 .

As with any important update, you will want to properly prepare your computer before you start the installation. First, backup any important files. If you don't already have a backup system in place, click on the Start button and type in backup to start the Vista backup utility. Remember that the safest place to backup is to an external drive rather than to the internal hard drive.

Then, check your hard disk for errors. Double-click on the Computer icon on your desktop, right-click on the main hard drive icon, which is usually C: Select Properties, then, on the Tools tab, click Check Hard Disk for Errors. You may also want to check with your computer manufacturer or hardware vendor to see if you need any updated drivers for Service Pack 1.

Last, but not least, give yourself plenty of time for the update. It can take several hours. Luckily, in an effort to make this go smoothly for everyone, Microsoft is offering free support for the installation of Vista Service Pack 1. As far as I know, this is unprecedented. And it is very welcome. Email, chat support, and even phone support is free for problems related to the compatibility and installation of Service Pack 1 until March 18, 2009.

You can find these free support options and information at the Microsoft Vista Service Pack 1 Website. Be sure to save this address, just in case you need it. Although this free support is available to everyone, it is not being highly publicized.