14 DAY TRIAL // A couple of free downloads from Microsoft are designed to add some missing features in specific versions of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 RTM, making up for the amputation of Windows media-related functionality from the platform as a result of antitrust concerns. Customers running any variant of Windows 7 have access to SP1 RTM as of earlier this week through both the Download Center and Windows Update, including those in Europe and Korea with the N and respectively the KN flavors of the OS.
They can head over to the Download Center to grab the Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N with Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 KN with Service Pack 1 (KB968211) as well as the Windows Media Format Feature Pack for Windows 7 N with Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 KN with Service Pack 1 (KB968211).
According to the software giant, “the Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N or Windows 7 KN will install Media Player and related technologies on a computer running Windows 7 N or Windows 7 KN editions, or these editions with Service Pack 1.”
Microsoft adds that “the Windows Media Format Feature Pack for Windows 7 N or Windows 7 KN will install the Windows Media Format runtime on a computer running Windows 7 N or Windows 7 KN edition, or these editions with Service Pack 1.”
Both Windows 7 N and Windows 7 KN editions are essentially still Windows 7, minus the Windows Media Player, as well as the technologies bundled with the default media player of the operating system.
Such features were removed from Windows 7, as well as other versions of Windows before it, with Microsoft releasing the Windows Media Feature Pack to compensate for the cut functionality and allow customers to make their copy of the OS complete again.
The Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N with Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 KN with Service Pack 1 (KB968211) is available for download here.
The Windows Media Format Feature Pack for Windows 7 N with Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 KN with Service Pack 1 (KB968211) is available for download here.
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM Build 7601.17514.101119-1850 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM are available for download here.