[M.Sudoku]

Vista SP1 makes your system faster, stable, reliable and, puts in some new features too. But if due to any reason you want to uninstall SP1 and if you are doubtful regarding some questions. Then this FAQ is for you.

How do I get rid of SP1?
It's simple. From the control panel, click "Programs," then, in the ensuing window under "Programs and Features," click "Uninstall a program."

Click "View installed updates," select "Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB936330)," and click "Uninstall."

How long does it take to uninstall SP1?
It should take 20 to 30 minutes to uninstall the service pack. Like the installation of SP1, the uninstall is a three-stage process. There is one reboot in the middle, then another nearer the end. The in-the-middle restart doesn't happen automatically, however, so you have to stick around to click a button. The rest is hands-off.

Are there any SP1 bits left on the machine?
No, but the updates that Microsoft required prior to offering SP1 through Windows Update - dubbed "prerequisites" by the company - do remain.

These include the January KB935509 update to BitLocker, and two others originally delivered in February -- KB937287 and KB938371. As you may recall, the middle update of trio, KB937287, was the one that raised a ruckus last month, when some users reported that it had sent their PCs into a death spiral of endless reboots. Microsoft yanked the update several days later from the automatic delivery list; users were still required to download and install it last week, however, before they were able to "see" SP1 on Windows Update.

Are there any other Microsoft-approved ways to uninstall SP1?
According to the KB948537 support document, the company says users can also roll back to a pre-SP1 state by using Vista's System Restore feature.

Microsoft spells out two options: one "offline" -- to be used if the PC isn't connected to the Internet or can't connect, perhaps because of SP1 -- and another dubbed "online." The former requires that you have your original Vista install DVD and a PC that will boot from the optical drive.

For more details, KB948537, which is available here, spells out the steps for each restore option.

Source: KB948537 and Computerworld

[fediaFedia]

What if my activation was removed when i installed SP1? Uninstalling sp1 won't give it back i guess...

[Munkypoo7]

it shouldn't have been remove if you were *cough* legit *cough*

[human_arts]

System restore worked fine for me

[Dr. Doom]

after uninstalling the sp1 your "copy" will be activated again.

[pm_41]

fediafedia, the only reasons that Windows would de-activate and give you a "timebomb" is:

1. You have an older RC version which does have a timebomb.
-or-
2. You're a pirate!

[SharmanNet]

You could use Vista SP1 Blocker Tool.

[Seventh Surfer]

Why anyone would uninstall SP1???
Even if you're a pirate, Vista SP1 doesn't have Kill Switch or Reduced Functionality Mode, so you are safe.