Windows 7 SP1 Beta FAQ

The Beta of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2008 SP1 is now available for download from Microsoft, and undoubtedly, there are questions around the release. Microsoft offers a list of Frequently Asked Questions, but of course, there are additional issues. In this regard, I put together my own FAQ for Windows 7 SP1 Beta, also leveraging details from the Redmond company. Make sure to leave any additional questions you might have in the comments section

1. What are the best new features of Windows 7 SP1 Beta to look for and test? Unfortunately, there are none. Windows 7 SP1 does not offer any new features on top of what is already available in Windows 7 RTM.

2. What are the best new features of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta to look for and test?

Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX. Microsoft has focused more on Windows Server 2008 R2 than on Windows 7 with the first upgrade. But still, Windows 7 SP1 will also support scenarios in which Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX are used in relation to Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.

3. What does Windows 7 SP1 have to offer? I’ll let Microsoft answer this one: “Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is an update for consumers and IT Pros that helps keep your PCs supported, provides ongoing improvement to the operating system, by including previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 platform based on customer and partner feedback, and is easy for organization to deploy a single set of updates.”

4. Are there any pre-requisites before installing Windows 7 SP1?

Just one, the most obvious in fact, Windows 7 RTM. At the same time, Windows 7 RTM needs to be the English version of the OS, or localized in French, German, Japanese, or Spanish.

5. For how long can Windows 7 SP1 Beta be used?

Well, for approximately a year. As it is the case with all pre-release Microsoft software, SP1 Beta is time-bombed. “You will be reminded beginning March 30, 2011. The beta will expire on June 30, 2011. You will have to upgrade to a newer build or uninstall and return to the RTM build by that time,” Microsoft stated.

6. What about Windows 7 SP1 RTM?

Customers will be able to run Windows 7 SP1 RTM for up to 24 months after the release of Windows 7 SP2 (if Microsoft will produce the second upgrade), or until the support for the platform runs out is SP2 will never be delivered.

7. When is the RTM of Windows 7 SP1? Most probable sometime in the first half of 2011. Microsoft said that it will release Windows 7 SP1 to customers in 1H 2011.

8. What is the target audience for the Beta?

“The public beta is best suited for IT Pros and developers who need to test the service pack in their organization or with the software they are developing. The ISO download for Windows 7 SP1 will contain both 32 and 64 bit versions. The final release of Service Pack 1 will be available through Windows Update for consumers when it is ready,” the company stated.

9. What are the Windows 7 Minimum System Requirements?

Customers need to run a computer that has a 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) CPU, at least 1 GB of RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit), more than 16 GB of available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit), a DirectX 9 graphics card with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.

10. How is Windows 7 SP1 Beta packaged?

Only as an update. A slipstream version of the upgrade will not be provided for the Beta.

11. Will Windows 7 SP1 Beta upgrade to Windows 7 SP1 RTM?

“No. You will have to uninstall the Service Pack or do a clean install of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2,” the company explained.

12. I waited for Windows Vista SP1 and it proved to be a smart decision. Should I do the same with Windows 7?