14 DAY TRIAL // Just a couple of days ago, Microsoft released Windows 7 Service Pack 1 RTM Build 7601.17514.101119-1850 through the Download Center and Windows Update. Grabbing SP1 RTM through Windows Update should be no problem at all, since a copy of the upgrade will be tailored and delivered to each Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platform.
On the Download Center however, there are no less than seven standalone downloads of the service pack.
Users that want to download Windows 7 SP1 RTM and install it manually, need to know that there are three downloads that they should access.
“- 7601.17514.101119-1850_Update_Sp_Wave1-GRMSP1.1_DVD - This DVD image contains standalone update for all architectures.
- windows6.1-KB976932-X86 - This application installs Sp1 to a 32-bit machine running Windows 7.
- windows6.1-KB976932-X64 - This application installs Sp1 to a 64-bit machine running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2,” according to Microsoft.
Obviously, customers that need to upgrade either Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 are better off with the last two downloads.
Those that need SP1 RTM for both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 will find the ISO image as best suited for them.
There are an additional four downloads, designed for developers to take advantage of. The vast majority of end users would be better off ignoring these:
“- Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.X86FRE.Symbols - Standalone debugging symbols (free) for 32-bit machines.
- Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.X86CHK.Symbols - Standalone debugging symbols (checked) for 32-bit machines.
- Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.AMD64FRE.Symbols - Standalone debugging symbols (free) for 64-bit machines. This contains debugging symbols for both Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.
- Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.AMD64CHK.Symbols - Standalone debugging symbols (checked) for 64-bit machines. This contains debugging symbols for both Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.”
Of course, my advice for end users continues to be getting SP1 RTM through Windows Update, since WU will provide the best experience.
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM Build 7601.17514.101119-1850 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM are available for download here.