14 DAY TRIAL // After some details were made public on an interim Build of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Release Candidate (RC), the actual bits have now been leaked in the wild, reportedly. Various Chinese websites, including CNBeta are reporting that Build 6.1.7601.17104 has been leaked and is available for download.
According to third-party sources, Windows 7 SP1 Build 7601.17104 is a pre-RC release, and not the full Release Candidate.
Microsoft has yet to confirm the fact that Windows 7 SP1 pre-RC Build 7601.17104 is a legitimate release, of that it was indeed part of the development process of the first major upgrade for the last Windows client.
And of course, users shouldn’t hold their breath for the Redmond company to confirm or deny leaks that have made their way out of Redmond.
At this point in time it appears that the 32-bit (x86) flavor of Windows 7 SP1 pre-RC Build 7601.17104 is the only one that was leaked.
Build 7601.17104 is reported to be the Escrow of the first Windows 7 SP1 RC. While in Escrow phase, the software giant is focusing development efforts on polishing up an upcoming release, by making sure that there are no regression issues or blockers.
Microsoft traditionally offers early adopters at least an RC Build of a new Windows release, such as a service pack.
When it comes down to Windows, RC Builds are also public, with the company aiming to get as many users as possible to test drive the releases, in order to ensure a high quality for the RTM (release to manufacturing) Build.
But following the delivery of Windows 7 SP1 Beta, which continues to be available in the wild, the Redmond company has been silent about the evolution of Service Pack 1.
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta are available for download here.
