Since mid-2007, Microsoft has entered Service Pack-mode, as it debuted work on Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3 and Office 2007 SP1, as well as Office 2003 SP3. A year later, the Redmond company's Service Pack Fiesta is still continuing even after the general availability of XP SP3 and Vista SP1. With the service packs for Vista, XP and Office 2003 out of the way, Microsoft is now preparing for the final stage in the release of Service Pack 1 for the Office 2007 System, namely the distribution through Automatic Updates.

"As we noted when we released Office 2003 Service Pack 3 via Microsoft Update (MU), we are committed to providing at least 30 days notice before making Office service packs available via Microsoft Update automatic distribution (for Vista and XP). [Now], we are giving notice that SP1 for the 2007 Microsoft Office System will begin being available via MU Automatic Update starting around June 16th. We released SP1 for Office 2007 to customers approximately 5 months ago and since that time we have had 10's of millions of downloads and a very good reaction from our customers," revealed a member of the Office Sustained Engineering team.

Microsoft wrapped up with Office 2007 SP1 on December 11, 2007, when it started offering the service pack through Windows Update and the Download Center. To this date, the Redmond company has failed to reveal the number of licenses Office 2007 has sold, hence the "10's of millions of downloads" reference. But unlike Vista SP1 and XP SP3 which both had various incompatibility issues related to the RTM versions, Office 2007 SP1 has had so far nothing but a smooth ride. And the heads up for the June 16 AU distribution is bound to keep up this impeccable track record.

"The availability will happen gradually and not everyone will see it at the same time. Think of the 16th as the earliest possible start of distribution and that no sooner than that date will SP1 start to become available to customers' systems via this channel. This is necessary to ensure that our service infrastructure can meet the enormous demand for the service pack," the Office Sustained Engineering team member added.

Office 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1) can be downloaded here.