Here's that Windows Vista service-pack blocker tool
While some customers are clamoring for Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1, others aren't going to rush out and install an update without testing it first.
As mentioned earlier this week, Microsoft is making available for download a service-pack blocker tool for Windows users who don't want Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 pushed to users' desktops without their IT administrator's official OK.
The blocking tool -- which also will prevent the installation via Windows Update of serice packs for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP -- is available now via the Microsoft Download site. The tool only blocks the SP updates for a set period of time. As Microsoft notes on the Download site, the tool will block Vista SP1 for 12 months following its general availability (in Q1 2008). It will block XP SP3 for 12 months following its general availability (some time in the first half of 2008), and Windows Server 2003 SP2 through March 2008.
A public Release Candidate (RC) test build of Windows Vista SP1 is due out next week. Currently, only those with access to the private Microsoft Connect test site and/or subscriptions to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) or TechNet services can get the SP1 RC bits.
(Thanks to ActiveWin for the link to the tool.)