Microsoft quickly closed the hole that allowed all users with a fully patched English version of Windows Vista to download the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 through Windows Update. What they did however as well was to open another way for their beta testers to download the service pack which is now available for everyone again.
If you want to download and test Windows Vista SP1 you can do so with a few Registry tweaks. At the end Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta 6001.17036 v. 652 should be available and ready for download.
Please be aware that this is a beta version of the new service pack. It could lead to problems and should only be downloaded by users who know how to fix them.

Download a zip here which contains the necessary registry keys to allow the computer to download Windows Vista SP1 through Windows Update. Take a look at it first, maybe backup your Registry.
Execute that bat file as an administrator by right-clicking it and selecting Run As Administrator. Start Wndows Update afterwards and go through the process three times in total downloading (KB935509) – v1.005, (KB937287) -Build 6001.17036 (x86) and (KB938371) v1.018 in each consecutive try.
The computer has to be rebooted after every try which means that you start Windows Updates three times and reboot the computer as many times as well. Once this is done you start Windows Update once again and Windows Vista SP1 Beta – 6001.17036 (x86) should appear on that list.
Download it as well and reboot the computer afterwards. Et Voila, the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta has been installed on your system.
Users who already have an older version of the Service Pack 1 installed have to uninstall it before they can download the new one. Just use the normal way to uninstall a software.
Special thanks to FredBone and The Hotfix
Update:
The SP1 beta is no longer available, take a look at Download Windows Vista SP1 RC1 for the newest working hack.
Related posts:
- Download Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta
- Windows Vista SP2 Beta 6002.16497 Released
- Windows Vista SP2 Beta 2 Download
- Download Windows Vista SP1 RC1
- Windows Vista SP2 Beta Download
- Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC1 Available
- Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta Download
- Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Pre-Beta Released

This makes Vista Ultimate what RTM should have been.. smooth, feels good, and Fassssst. 17603 is the way to go… it can only get better.
Thanks to GHacks for the patch….
When I did this windows update never showed KB935509, but it downloaded the other updates and SP1. Is this pack no longer necessary?
I have downloaded SP1 Beta, thanks gHacks.
All 3 updates after the registry hack were downloaded and installed 1 by 1 and after this the SP1 – It showed up from the 2nd check.
This SP1 – is not that good, the activation is not accepted there ! Shit… I needed System Restore to do for taht.
Listen to Mihail. I have two machines that I installed this beta on, and only one of them still boots. I don’t know what would cause the activation to mess up, but they are both LEGIT copies of Vista Business. The broken machine will boot to the activation screen, but when I attempt to activate, it says Unable, so I re-entered the key and went to it again. Still failed. I went to the phone option, and there are NO NUMBERS where the activation code should be. (the number you read to the automated phone system) – BEWARE!
Then you have a non-compatibly problem boot to DVD -> command prompt -> type”rstrui.exe /offline:c:\windows” wait a bit and the last known good image will restore.
v.17042 patch still works as of 11:15 last nite. and cmd restore line was tested in SP1-B v.17036.. after ea patch recommend you make a restore 17042.final then you know its there. Seems not every install makes a Restore after final..
ohh god… my thing comes up in the updates
but it just wont download…
any ideas on that one guys?
Welp, I’ve tried again with the new stuff for the new SP1 Beta, and the first update works fine, but yet again KB938371 (the second update on this round), does the SAME EXACT THING it did before… Something on my laptop is preventing that very 3.1mb update from working! ARGH!!!
JB, sorry it does not work.. but a simply question is your version Full. RTM or OEM or Retail.. the black, blue and fast versions do not work.
Soul must have a weird version also…I;m quite happy with the SP1’s that I have tried,
currently 17042… but hey \just a thought you might clean the BUFFER – Cache and all cookies then retry.. also I had one system that after ea KB I found the only was to REBOOT then look for #2 reboot then #3 then etc etc etc.
Um…I have version 6.0.6000.16509 retail.
Not sure what the deal was but, it was a total disaster.
What version do you have, Pirate?
did anyone else only have to update once, before having sp1 display, only to have it stop downloading at 8% ??
sorry scratch that, microsoft is just uploading EXTREEMLY slow. (what is this, the file is only 50 MEGS??¨)
only the first update file showed up
rebooted and then no new updates :(
Probably Microsoft closed down this hole too. I will wait for the official SP1, so there will be a crack and It will work best with no BSODs or all other staff like that.
well…the file did download, and it installed, but upon reboot it gets passed the microsoft green loading bar, then it starts this file check with a total of 68627 files and gets to the 67733 file and stops telling me “!! 0xc0000034 !!” its listed as (\registry\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Win…) and thats all it gives me. ive tryed to load in safe mode (all of them) and it never gets passed the file load! try to repair os from install cd, to no avail, it shows me a restore point of microsoft sp1 but it only can get to the point “finalizing restore”
i cant get my sytem to boot no mater what i do, CAN ANYONE PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE FOR HOW TO GET VISTA BACK UP AGAIN!!!!!
…oh ya and i have an oem copy (home premo 32bit), dont know if that should make a diffrence
gnugeek, if might be nice if you READ the instructions… it does say reboot then manually ask for updates…
rechik your error normally = INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE -
Pirate, I am using the OEM version of 32-bit UIltimate that came with my computer. I’m thinking it’s either a Dell issue, or maybe one of my programs (Comodo? NOD32? SpySweeper?).
Either way, if the final SP1 requires that same download, looks like I may be boned… :o\
yea sry
finally installed latest sp1 now
kinda no hassles
windows remained activated
JB, only other thing I can think is
rename edb.log and remove cat2 from windows/system32. Instruction on the MS site for how to if you have problems..
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
had to use this several time on old XP…
After uninstalling the old SP1 Beta, the update worked like a charm. However some of the Patch updates where a little different in their versions (since I am running 64 bit). Also, once SP1 is install my version is listed as: Service Pack 1, v.658
Wonder if that is due to me also being 64 bit…
I have just followed the steps given here and my first update has just shown up in windows update. got to restart my computer now but just wanted to say thnx and give a big thumbs up :D
Odie, v.17036 was changed to v.17042 so you have the correct version… has nothing to do with X64 or X32. Service Pack 1, v.658
is RC1 Review.
Thanks Pirate for the link. I tried everything I could on that Microsoft page, and nothing worked.
Basically, I install, restart, get to the “Configuring Updates” part (which takes a minute or two), then it goes immediately to “Shutting Down”. Then upon restart, Startup Repair is launched. Looking at the “Startup Repair” details, it says “Boot Manager failed to find OS loader.”
After Startup Repair, all is well, but the update fails with an Error “Code 80004005″.
Not sure WTF is up. Any other ideas guys?
Installed the 3 updates but service pack 1 doesn’t come up in win update.
Pale you have to reboot after every KB is installed.. failure to reboot fails the next step. then you should as the instructions say. manually check for updates… duh.
instructions:
Please check for updates in Windows Update.
Right click on sp1_rc_17036_v652_web_updater.cmd file and click on “Run as Administrator�.
Log off from Vista system and then log in again.(REBOOT-1)
Open Windows Update and check for updates.
Install Update for Windows Vista (KB935509) – v1.005, and reboot-2 the system.
Open Windows Update and check for updates again.
Install Update for Windows vista (KB937287) – Build 6001.17036 (x86 or x64).(reboot-3)
In Windows Update, check for updates again.
Install Update for Windows Vista (KB938371) – v1.018, and then restart the computer.(reboot-4)
Wait for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Open Windows Update and check for update again. Repeatitively(this means manually check) check for updates until Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta – Build 6001.17036 (x86 or x64) is shown.
Install Windows vista Service Pack 1 Beta – Build 6001.17036 (x86 or x64).
REBOOT-5
Yep Pirate, did that. And 3 hours later and a couple of reboots, still no servicepack.
Thx for the help.
Guys, have been checking with others.. couple have had same prob. CLEAN the cookies to MS..
all the MS cookies.. If the cookies show any SP pack prior to then it thinks you have it..
not sure why.. after you clear the cookies, reboot… wait 3 min…(you do know how to manually check the MS cookies) then manual check for SP1 pack… confirmed 1 UK,1 SP, 2 US stating – OK it now works.. one from TX-US stated he only had 2 KB’s then SP1
Raytheon117X !
All I can say again is [B]READ the INFO[/B].
Hey, at least you can install them… :oP
I sincerely hope I don’t have to reformat… It takes WEEKS to get all my stuff downloaded, installed, updated, tweaked, refined, sped-up, set-up, transferred, blah blah blah…
Ya know, I’ve NEVER had ANY of these stupid problems like I’ve had with Windows over the years with ANY Mac OS (except OS 9, which sucked, LOL).
…:::sigh:::…
:o\
Yay. This is just awesome now. Basically, i have the SP1 link in Windows Update, but guess what? It freezes at 12% with a fail error 80073712.
I had only installed the third KB and then the second KB and then SP1 popped in (no mention of the first KB in that list no matter what). Im thinking my download of SP1 is corrupted, but how do I clear the Windows Update cache? Or wherever it stores its stupid temporary files?
I have cleaned the comp manually and with ccleaner and VistaManager, rebooted. And servicepack just won’t show in win update.
The 3 updates KB935509,KB937287 and KB938371 is installed. I did run SP1Beta_Hack.cmd before I saw that it was a new file (the .bat file). Can that have something to do with SP beta not showing??
I give up. I checked out the files i notepad and looked trough the registry, looked like it should. Even tried change language from swedish to English in windows and no luck. Searched Google…
Ah damn this s**t.
I’m having the same problem as Pale. I’ve installed the updates (KB937287 and KB938371 – KB935509 didn’t show up) and Service Pack 1 is still not listed when I search for updates…
Since so many ppl are now not able to get v.17042, seems that MS has removed the DL. I’m sure they set the counter for 15K plus. Rumors are they simply removed the SP1 RC so they could put up the next new RC.
So if you want to test this version you will have to download the full “standalone.iso”.
Yea, I only had two updates, not 3. The SP1 is not available in updates currently. Atlease I have the updates required to install sp1 when it comes.
JB your not alone, I am also failing on that same KB with the same error.
Getting the same messages as you. System Reboots – Configuration Updates – Shutting Down – I login only to find the update has failed.
I dont get the repair thing like you do though so im not sure whats up with that.
I also have a Dell Laptop 1730
Hm, sounds like this could be a Dell laptop problem. Dammit Dell… Like I said before, I sure as hell hope the updates required for the final SP1 aren’t the same, because then we’re pretty boned. :o\
well for one i must say that the beta works great. two followed the instructions and no problems what so ever. Three why the hell is everyone having a problem with the SP1 Beta, all you need is the system requirements and a legit copy of windows ex.. OEM, Purchased ect… and blamo you have one smooth running OS Nice;) thanks Pirate! Installed on my Inspiron 1520, 7200, 2gb Ram Runs like a charm… Kinda funny because it runs better now than ever.. Cheers Mate !
Sorry and thanks to you too JB!
I got a copy to run on my second partition for Vista x64. Mine was legal, but it was giving trouble to install on my primary partition. Wonder if x64 does something weird with the 2 update thing… Or maybe this partition im on is just messed haha.
In any case, Beta is nice. It certainly shuts down much faster. However, that copy of Vista is now a timebomb! It reset my activation. But i’ll just uninstall it in 27 days, and then install it again and ill get 30 more days to use it :).
lol, in all honestly the windows update would update your 64x or even my 32x based OS, windows update would download the approprate update regards if you have 64x or 32x… i don’t know Worked fine for me and my windows is still activated… crazy i don’t know. I guess it’s like playing a game of rulet, gotta love beta’s
JB what model dell laptop do you have?
Btest says he got it on his inspiron 1520, i have the xps 1730, maybe we can narrow down the problem.
I actually believe my version of x64 is corrupted to some extent. It really does the most random things! It never keeps my folder view settings and it really makes me angry with this and many other quirks it’s been having lately. Wonder if I do a reformat if everything will be fine?
Silly error 0×80073712 ….
Like I said B, I have an XPS1710.
Could be an XPS problem for all we know.
I dont think it is a dell problem, I am getting the 80004005 with a homebuilt pc.. it doesnt screw anything up, but it always does it on stage 3, so I have to wait to see the failure every time, kinda annoying.
Sean, so you’re also unable to get the same update due to the same error?
Hm, we need to narrow this thing down. B, Sean, what kinds of protection (firewall, antivirus, antispyware, etc) do you guys run?
I have nod32, SpySweeper, Comodo, Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware 2007, and Spybot S&D. Maybe one of these are interfering?
I am using the built in firewall, defender, and Kaspersky Antivirus, I have tried with kaspersky disabled, but not with the firewall or defender disabled. I have tried clearing my download cache and making it redownload it, no good. Still fails on stage 3 after it hits 100% complete, then I get “Service Pack Did not install, Reverting changes” which takes a year, then it reboots, does that again, then lets me login with nothing changed, and only that message 80004005 (I have been going through the logs with a fine tooth comb, its the only one coming up at all so far) will post more as I get more time with it tomorrow.
im running avg free edition.
i have SQL Express Installed & a few other games & programming tools & office 2007, not much else other than that.
here is my update log… looks like its failing at the keyboard driver? not sure though.
1056 fb0 Agent Attempt 0 to obtain post-reboot results.
2007-11-25 12:19:11:859 1056 fb0 Handler Post-reboot status for package Package_for_KB938371~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.18: 0×80071aa7.
2007-11-25 12:19:11:859 1056 fb0 Handler WARNING: Got extended error: “POQ Operation HardLinkFile OperationData \SystemRoot\WinSxS\x86_keyboard.inf.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16582_en-us_2c6e12316f76b8c6\i8042prt.sys.mui, \??\C:\Windows\System32\drivers\en-US\i8042prt.sys.mui”
2007-11-25 12:19:12:002 1056 fb0 AU ########### AU: Initializing Automatic Updates ###########
2007-11-25 12:19:12:020 1056 fb0 AU # Approval type: Scheduled (User preference)
2007-11-25 12:19:12:020 1056 fb0 AU # Scheduled install day/time: Every day at 3:00
2007-11-25 12:19:12:020 1056 fb0 AU # Auto-install minor updates: Yes (User preference)
2007-11-25 12:19:12:021 1056 fb0 AU Setting AU scheduled install time to 2007-11-26 08:00:00
2007-11-25 12:19:12:021 1056 fb0 AU WARNING: GetPostRebootResults failed, error = 0×80070005
2007-11-25 12:19:12:022 1056 fb0 AU AU finished delayed initialization