Microsoft posts two major Vista fix packs for download

Remember those Windows Vista reliability and performance fix packs -- beta versions of which temporarily escaped to the masses last week? On August 7, Microsoft posted the final versions of the two Vista fix packs for download.

The Vista performance fix pack, KB 938979, (both 32- and 64-bit versions) is downloadable here. The reliability fix pack, KB 938194, (32- and 64-bit flavors), can be downloaded here.

The two fix packs include a number of the updates that Microsoft is expected to deliver in the first full-fledged Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 release, a public beta of which is expected real soon now. SP1 is expected to include a number of security, performance and reliability fixes that Microsoft has been delivering since it shipped Vista, all in one single package.

Microsoft is promising to make the two new Vista fix packs available via Windows Update at a "later date." The full statement, provided by a Microsoft spokeswoman:

"The two updates will be available on Microsoft's download center today, and will be available through Windows Update at a later date."

A number of Web sites and blogs have reported that Microsoft will push out these two fix packs on August 14, Patch Tuesday. The spokeswoman would not confirm that the 14th is the date. (But I'm betting it is.)