14 DAY TRIAL // Understandably, Microsoft is as reluctant when it comes down to talking about the first major upgrade to Windows 7 RTM as it is about sharing details with the public concerning the next iteration of the Windows client. After all, Windows 7 has hit the shelves on October 22nd, 2009, even though it was finalized almost half a year ago on July 22nd. In this context, the Redmond company needs to keep the consumers focused on the successor of Windows Vista, and Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows 8 plans under a tight lid. But users should, as always, not mistake the lack of communication for the lack of inactivity. Various indications already made it perfectly clear that Microsoft already began working on both Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8, even though for the latter, efforts are largely resumed to planning.
Not the same can be said for the first service pack for Windows 7. Microsoft is reportedly laboring to start offering the initial testing builds for Windows 7 SP1, with the bits on the horizon. According to third-party reports, early development milestones of Windows 7 SP1 are already in testing phase, but the software giant has yet to offer official confirmation. Traditionally, the Redmond company would be first of all dogfooding the service pack, namely testing it internally, ahead of releasing it outside of Redmond. Still, clues have been uncovered pointing to the fact that external testing of Windows 7 SP1 might be just around the corner.
So far, it’s unclear what SP1 for Windows 7 RTM will bring to the table. The general rule is to include all hotfixes and updates released in the post-RTM period. Speculation indicates that Microsoft might also add USB 3.0 support, as well as improvements to the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi stacks. Users should definitely expect post-RTM updates and hotfixes to be included into SP1, as well as general fixes for issues that survived beyond Build 7600, but the software giant confirmed nothing else.
Another focus of speculation is the Windows 7 SP1 timetable. With Microsoft silent on the evolution of Vista’s successor, the only information available comes from third-parties, some more reliable than others. It seems to be a general consensus that the first external test builds of Windows 7 SP1 are just around the corner. Reports also claim that the Redmond company could deliver a preview of Windows 7 SP1 in June 2010, and release to manufacturing and launch the bits by September this year. Users are advised to take Windows 7 SP1 details with a grain of salt at this point in time, as Microsoft continues to be mum on the matter.