Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 is now available for Download

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 service packs are cumulative updates and upgrade all service levels of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 to SP1 . This service pack contains the cumulative updates up to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 cumulative update packages 1 thru 6. You can use these packages to upgrade any of the following Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 editions:

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Computing Edition
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition and Developer Edition
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard Edition
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Web Edition
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Workgroup Edition
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition

Download Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1:
To download the version of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 please visit Download Details: Microsoft Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 website. Download the files appropriate for you.

What’s New in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Here are some of the new features in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1:

Dynamic Management Views for increased supportability:
sys.dm_exec_query_stats DMV is extended with additional columns to improve supportabilities over troubleshooting long-running queries. New DMVs and XEvents on select performance counters are introduced to monitor OS configurations and resource conditions related to the SQL Server instance.

ForceSeek for improved querying performance :
Syntax for FORCESEEK index hint has been modified to take optional parameters allowing it to control the access method on the index even further. Using old style syntax for FORCESEEK remains unmodified and works as before. In addition to that, a new query hint, FORCESCAN has been added. It complements the FORCESEEK hint allowing specifying 'scan' as the access method to the index. No changes to applications are necessary if you do not plan to use this new functionality.

Data-tier Application Component Framework (DAC Fx) for improved database upgradest:
The new Data-tier Application (DAC) Framework v1.1 and DAC upgrade wizard enable the new in-place upgrade service for database schema management. The new in-place upgrade service will upgrade the schema for an existing database in SQL Azure and the versions of SQL Server supported by DAC. A DAC is an entity that contains all of the database objects and instance objects used by an application. A DAC provides a single unit for authoring, deploying, and managing the data-tier objects.

Disk space control for PowerPivot:
This update introduces two new configuration settings that let you determine how long cached data stays in the system. In the new Disk Cache section on the PowerPivot configuration page, you can specify how long an inactive database remains in memory before it is unloaded. You can also limit how long a cached file is kept on disk before it is deleted.

Fixed various issues:
This update fixes many knowledge base issues that are listed in this KB2463333.

For a detailed list of new features and improvements that are included in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1, review the What's New Section in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 Release Notes.