14 DAY TRIAL // Just as it was the case for the two service packs for Windows Vista, SP1 for Windows 7 will be just a minor upgrade. Just a few days short of the first five months since it launched its latest Windows client, Microsoft is finally ready to start talking Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1). According to Brandon LeBlanc, Windows communications manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, the online Desktop Virtualization Hour event will act as the opportune moment for the Redmond company to share the first details on SP1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
“For Windows 7, SP1 includes only minor updates, among which are previous updates that are already delivered through Windows Update. SP1 for Windows 7 will, however, deliver an updated Remote Desktop client that takes advantage of RemoteFX introduced in the server-side with SP1 for Windows Server 2008 R2,” LeBlanc said.
Microsoft is also attempting to discourage customers from making the jump to Windows 7 only after SP1 is offered. And the Redmond company is right in this regard. I have said on numerous occasions that users, and especially business customers, should consider Windows Vista SP1 and SP2 all the service packs Windows 7 RTM will ever need. Personally, I have been running Windows 7 since the Milestone 3 build, and through Beta and Release Candidate, only to be among the first in the world to jump to RTM Build 7600, and I have no hesitation in recommending the OS as ready for upgrades.
“Windows 7 is ready for commercial deployments now and many industry experts have recommended that customers do not wait for SP1. Many organizations are already in the process of deploying and are receiving benefits from their Windows 7 deployment,” LeBlanc added.
Microsoft has so far said absolutely nothing on Windows 7 SP1 ahead of today, March 18th, 2010. And the fact that the software giant is gearing up to release details means that the first release is also taking shape. However, the Redmond company offered no specific deadlines as to when customers should expect Windows 7 SP1, Release Candidate or RTM.
“We’re not yet announcing a beta or release timeline for SP1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 today. Once SP1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 is released, the service pack will be delivered through Windows Update and be available on Microsoft Download Center for download as well,” LeBlanc stated. “I’ll be posting more on SP1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 once we get close to a release milestone.”
Microsoft Windows 7 90-Day Eval VHD is available for download here.
Another Windows 7 RTM Enterprise 90-Day Evaluation is available for download here.