14 DAY TRIAL // As it was the case for the Beta development milestone, Microsoft is offering early adopters multiple options to download Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Release Candidate (RC) Build 7601.17105.100929-1730. There are no less than 5 downloads available via the Microsoft Download Center, and just as many offered through TechNet, after users register with the website.
On TechNet, testers get to download the 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions of Windows 7 SP1 RC and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RC, both for Windows Update and the standalone flavor. At the same time, the website also offers Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RC for Itanium architectures.
The Microsoft Download Center also has 5 items for early adopters:
“•WUSignUpTool_x86.exe - This tool enables your 32-bit Windows 7 machine to participate in the public beta via Windows Update. Run this tool and then check for updates in Windows Update.
•WUSignUpTool_x64.exe - This tool enables your 64-bit Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 machine to participate in the public beta via Windows Update. Run this tool and then check for updates in Windows Update.
•windows6.1-KB976932-X86.exe - This application installs the public beta to a 32-bit machine running Windows 7.
•windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe - This application installs the public beta to a 64-bit machine running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
•7601.17105.100929-1730_Update_Sp_Wave1-B1SP1.0_DVD.iso - This DVD ISO disk image contains the standalone update packages for the public release candidate.”
Windows 7 SP1 RC is time-bombed and set to expire on November 30, 2011, at which point it would be best for testers to remove the Release Candidate altogether and either upgrade to SP1 RTM or go back to the RTM version of the operating system.
“In order to download and install the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Release Candidate you must currently have a Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 already installed,” Microsoft explained.
“If you have previously installed the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta on your machine, you must uninstall the beta before installing the Release Candidate.
“Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Release Candidate is available for installation in the same languages made available at original launch of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.”
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Release Candidate (RC) Build 7601.17105.100929-1730 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Release Candidate (RC) Build 7601.17105.100929-1730 are available for download here.