If you're itching to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 but aren't planning to be anywhere near Redmond on October 27th, all may not be lost. Some friendly hackers have posted a registry setting that will reportedly allow you to download Vista SP1 through Windows Update.

We're going to point out a couple of things here, although they should really be obvious:

1. There's no guarantee this registry hack will work for you.
2. If it doesn't, you could potentially turn your computer into an overpriced paperweight.
3. Windows Vista SP1 is still in beta, meaning you can expect some bugs even if you do manage to update your system.

If you're still willing to take the plunge after reading all that, just download the registry hack, check for Windows Updates, and you should be all set. A little "evaluation copy" watermark will show up on the bottom of your screen, but hackers being what they are, there's a fix for that as well.