Feb 22, 2011 15:32 GMT  ·  By

The first upgrade for Windows 7 is here. At the time of this article, downloads of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 have gone live, available to users worldwide starting today. February 22, 2011 brings with it the general availability deadline of not only Windows 7 SP1 RTM but also of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM.

Microsoft confirmed this date when it announced the release to manufacturing of the service pack two weeks ago, and then the past week when the bits started being offered to TechNet and MSDN subscribers, as well as to Volume License customers.

The software giant has yet to make the announcement of Windows 7 SP1 RTM’s availability worldwide, but representatives of the company confirmed to me that the bits are indeed going live today.

I’m still waiting for the official notification from Microsoft, and I have a feeling that it won’t be long now.

I just checked the Microsoft Download Center and there are a number of Windows 7 SP1 RTM download that are returned to results, including Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932).

"Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 helps keep your PCs and servers on the latest support level," Microsoft stated.

"It also provides ongoing improvements to the Windows Operating System (OS), by including previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms based on customer and partner feedback. This enables organizations to deploy a single set of updates."

Remember, in addition to the Microsoft Download Center, Windows 7 SP1 RTM and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM are also being distributed through Windows Update, starting today.

The best course of action for end users is to have the service pack served to them through WU, since it will be the best experience possible.

UPDATE: It appears that there are some issues with the Windows 7 SP1 RTM links on the Download Center. Please try again after waiting a while as Microsoft is bound to resolve them soon.

UPDATE: I managed to grab the direct download link from Microsoft, get it below.

Windows 7 SP1 RTM and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM are available for download here.