Open Software Solutions

If for some reason you have not been able to upgrade to Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), an update is available that might improve the performance and reliability of Windows Vista. If you are already running Windows Vista SP1, don’t download this update. The fixes in this update are already included in Windows Vista SP1. If you’re not sure whether Windows Vista SP1 is installed, go to the How do I find out whether I have Windows Vista SP1? section to find out.

To install the correct version of this update, you must know your Windows Vista platform type (32-bit or 64-bit). If you’re not sure which platform type you have, go to the How do I find out whether I’m running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version of Windows Vista? section to find out.

If you do not have Windows Vista SP1 and you know the type of your Windows Vista platform (32-bit or 64-bit), you can download the update by clicking one of the following links:

Update for Windows Vista, 32-bit versions

Download the 938979 package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=3FB80BB9-D832-425B-B42C-D3EB2071BBEC)

Update for Windows Vista, 64-bit versions

Download the 938979 package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=24EAD3A0-77F6-4196-8A3F-78C1470AC18E)

Next steps if Windows Vista performance and reliability are not improved

If you cannot install this update, or if the update (or Windows Vista SP1) does not resolve the performance and reliability issues with Windows Vista, you will have to do some additional troubleshooting. If you are not comfortable with additional troubleshooting, you might be able to ask someone you know for help or you might want to contact support.

For additional troubleshooting information, or to contact support about this problem, visit the Windows Vista Solution Center (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;11732#tab0).

How do I find out whether I have Windows Vista SP1?

How do I find out whether I’m running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version of Windows Vista?

More information for advanced users and IT Professionals

This update resolves issues that may affect some Windows Vista-based computers. These issues have been reported by customers who are using the Error Reporting service or Microsoft Customer Support Services.

By applying this update, you can achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios. This update also improves the reliability of Windows Vista.

This update resolves the following issues on a Windows Vista-based computer:

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Some customers may have manually changed certain default settings or manually removed certain default folders and links. When the updated shell component of this update is installed, it restores the default settings, folders, and shortcuts. These items will not be reset during future shell component updates.

Default settings

The following two user configuration settings are reset to their default values:

Default folders

If a customer has manually removed the system-created default folders from their local user profile folder, these default folders are re-created. The affected folders are the following.

NoteTypically, the path of the local user profile folder is C: Users UserName.

Default links

If a customer has manually deleted the default shortcuts that were created by the system, these shortcuts are re-created. There are three specific groups:

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Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this update. Update replacement informationThis update does not replace any other previously released updates.

File information

The English version of this update has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zonetab in the Date and Timeitem in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, 32-bit versions

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions

For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.

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