Testers get invites to SP2 betas for Vista, Windows Server 2008

Selected testers are reporting that they've received invitations for the Service Pack (SP) 2 betas for Vista and Windows Server 2008.

Neowin was first to acknowledge the delivery of the SP2 invitations. Other testers are now confirming that report. The broader-scale SP2 betas are exptected to begin within the next four weeks for the new service packs, Neowin says.

Some testers -- a very select few -- already have a test build of SP2 for Vista (not sure if also for Windows Server 2008) in hand, as I noted recently.

I'm hearing Microsoft's goal is to deliver the final version of both SP2s before the company releases Windows 7, which is expected to be released to manufacturing in the latter half of 2009. Microsoft's thinking: Getting the next service packs out before the next full releases of Windows client and server will help lessen customer confusion.

Neowin says SP2 for Vista will incorporate Windows Search 4, support for the VIA 64-bit CPU and Bluetooth support. SP2 for Windows Server 2008, Neowin adds, will feature backwards compatibility with Terminal Services licensing keys and various performance/manageability features. (I've been hearing Microsoft also will fold the Hyper-V bits into Windows Server 2008 SP2.)

Microsoft is not commenting on the timing or feature set for either SP2.