Vista SP1 blocks security programs

A major update to Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system could leave computers

vulnerable to hackers and malware as the service pack prevents some antivirus programs

from operating, the company said. The list of security products that Windows Vista

Service Pack 1 blocks includes Zone Alarm Security Suite 7.1, Trend Micro Internet Security 2008,

and BitDefender 10. It also blocks the 2008 version of the Jiangmin antivirus product.

Microsoft said the blocks occur because the antivirus programs are not compatible with Vista SP1.

Microsoft also said Vista SP1 prevents a small number of other programs from working properly,

including Novell’s ZCM Agent and The New York Times reader software.

Microsoft has delayed widespread distribution of Vista SP1 until it can resolve

compatibility issues with some software drivers that control PC peripherals. As a result, Vista SP1

won’t be available as a manual download until mid-March on Windows Update. Even then, installation

will be rejected on PCs with the problem drivers. Affected users who want to access the

software regardless will be able to download it directly from Microsoft.com.

Microsoft will automatically push Windows Vista SP1 to customers who have signed up

for automated downloads from Windows Update starting in mid-April.

Windows Vista SP1 includes more than 300 hot fixes for the operating system, which Microsoft