Microsoft this morning released Service Pack 1 for Vista and Windows Server 2008 to manufacturers.

SP1 is a bundle of fixes including extra hardware drivers. The software is released to computer manufacturers today and "will start being available to customers in March".

SP1 changes aspects of Microsoft's controversial Windows Genuine Advantage software, which checks computers are running registered software and then emails home to Redmond to tell Microsoft what it has found. Part of WGA could also shut off certain functions of your machine if it decided that software was not "genuine". WGA will continue to show warning messages but will no longer shut down functions of your machine.

Windows Server 2008 is also going to manufacturers today and will be available to buy from 1 March. The software formally launches 27 February. ®

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