14 DAY TRIAL // With Windows 7 SP1 RTM Build 7601.17514.101119-1850 leaked in the wild, I thought I’d remind you that the first upgrade for Windows 7 is not like previous Service Pack 1 releases. Instead, SP1 for Windows 7 is just a minor upgrade, as Microsoft put it when it introduced its plans for the service pack with the world.
[ADMAK=1] And early adopters that have been testing Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 throughout the Beta and Release Candidate (RC) milestones, undoubtedly know that the software giant managed to live up to the promise to deliver almost nothing at all with the service pack.
One way to get an idea of what SP1 is all about is to download the “Documentation for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate” from the Redmond company.
Here’s what Microsoft has to say about Windows 7 SP1:
“The impact of SP1 on the Windows 7 client operating system is considered to be minimal. Included changes are expected to address minor usability issues in specific scenarios, as outlined in this document.
“Microsoft recommends that organizations do not need to wait for SP1 to begin receiving the value of Windows 7 today as we don’t anticipate the SP1 for Windows 7 to be substantial.”
For the Windows client, the focus with SP1 has been on delivering bug fixes and patches ahead of anything else. As Microsoft stated from the get go, there are no new features in Windows 7 SP1.
Not the same is the case for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, which is getting fixes, security updates, as well as additional enhancements, including new features.
“Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 will include previously released updates and will deliver a number of powerful new features for Windows Server 2008 R2 for virtualization and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI),” the company said.
“New techniques in memory management with the addition of Dynamic Memory functionality, as well as the ability to deliver full-fidelity graphic experiences in remote and virtualized environments with Microsoft RemoteFX, enable organizations to realize the greatest possible potential from their infrastructure.
“The resulting increase in efficiency and functionality allows for accelerated server consolidation, a more powerful virtualized desktop infrastructure, and an increased return on technology investments.”
Microsoft is not confirming that the recently leaked Build 7601.17514.101119-1850 is the RTM of Windows 7 SP1.
The company only notes that Windows 7 SP1 RTM will be delivered to users in the first quarter of 2011.