The new Windows 7's Windows Update has been backported to Vista SP2 users:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/946928

Improvements made to version 7.4.7600.226 of the Windows Update Agent

• Improved scan times for Windows updates
• Improved user interface for Windows Vista-based and Windows Server 2008-based computers that are running Windows Update
• More visible and detailed description of updates
• Improvements in how users are notified about service packs

I don't have vista on any of my machines but I've fixed plenty of vista computers and I HATE how it updates.

It has to restart way more than any previous version of windows and takes way longer to install updates than xp.

How they went from it installing the updates then rebooting, to installing the updates then rebooting and installing the rest of the updates and then REBOOTING AGAIN never ceases to amaze me.

Also why doesn't it install service pack 2 by default. About 2 weeks ago I nuked a vista computer because it was so screwed, then I put on a clean install of vista and when I went to updates it didn't even advise SP1. Whats the point. I had to download SP1 and then SP2 as well.

I've already ordered a copy of 7, but if it sucks I'm done with window.