Microsoft is currently cooking the first service pack to Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, a release described as a minor upgrade, but an upgrade nonetheless. The first official details on Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 SP1 were shared in mid-March, 2010, but it is clear that the Redmond company is doing much more than simply offering information on upcoming SP1 features. Windows 7 SP1 Build 6.1.7601.16537 v.153 being leaked to BitTorrent trackers and warez websites is an indication that the software giant has already kicked off early testing of the service pack outside of Redmond.

After all, confirmation was already offered that the company was gearing up to offer the first taste of Windows 7 SP1. “Microsoft is preparing partners and customers for early testing of Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows 7 SP1 will include only minor updates while Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will offer two significant new features, enabling greater scalability and a richer user experience for desktop virtualization,” a message on the Microsoft Partner Network associated with an article titled “Microsoft Takes First Steps Toward Developing Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2” notes.

Windows 7 SP1 Build 6.1.7601.16537 v.153 (6.1.7601.16537.amd64fre.win7.100327-0053) was compiled on March 27, according to the information in the Build string. Third-party sources claim that this is a pre-Beta release of the service pack, and that Microsoft is working to produce the first fully fledged Beta.

I had a look at Windows 7 SP1 Build 6.1.7601.16537 v.153, and you can read more about this development milestone here, including viewing screenshots of the deployment process and post-installation. The leaked documentation accompanying the Windows 7 SP1 Build 6.1.7601.16537 v.153 contains additional information on the service pack, also available via the link above. Of course, neither Windows 7 RTM nor Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM actually need SP1 in order to be ready for deployment. “Continue to deploy Windows 7 now, and check back for more information in the coming months about SP1,” the company adds on the Microsoft Partner Network page.

Members of the Microsoft Partner Network can access WNS204PAL: Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Overview on the Partner Learning Center for additional details on the service pack.

“On March 18th at the Desktop Virtualization Hour, Microsoft announced that Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 were in development. Alongside this announcement, Microsoft also announced that the Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX technologies will be shipped in Service Pack 1. This live meeting will give an overview of Service Pack 1, the two new features, and how to adjust your sales conversations to take advantage. We will hold additional Academy Lives that will go deep into the new features,” it is noted in the description of the resource.