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Report: Windows 7 SP1 Coming Summer, Fall

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US

Are you ready for a business-ready stamp for Windows 7?

Just to be extra safe, many IT professionals prefer to wait until at least the first Service Pack for a Windows version before implementing it into their departments. The reason is that the first massive wave of users will already have hit the OS to clear out any possible bugs and compatibility issues.

Now that Windows 7 has settled in inside consumer homes after the considerable marketing push from retail, attention is turning to Microsoft's next step in development. ZDNet blogger Adrian Kingsley-Hughes claims to have reports that Windows 7 SP1 is already undergoing testing and has seen several lists of post-RTM build numbers.

There haven't been any word on what major changes, if any, to expect other than the inclusion of all patches and fixes released to date and the likely inclusion of USB 3.0 support.

At this point, it seems that the work on the first Service Pack is more of a green light for business and enterprise users to consider Windows 7 rather than a true major boost to the OS.

As for when we can see this first Service Pack roll out, IT Chuiko claims to have sources at Microsoft that point to a June 2010 release for testers, with the final version slated for September 2010.

There are 39 Comments. B
Other Comments
  • 9 Ð
    ravewulf , January 16, 2010 6:55 AM
    I'll be waiting to test it :) 
  • 7 Ð
    Shadow703793 , January 16, 2010 7:05 AM
    Wow... that's quick for a SP release.
  • 1 Ð
    jsc , January 16, 2010 7:55 AM
    Yes. So Soon?
  • -4 Ð
    saint19 , January 16, 2010 7:58 AM
    ohhhh... early for a SP, maybe try to solve some security problems with the SP? and add support to the new things like USB 3.0 and ATI HD 58xx. I heard hundred of problem with Win 7 and 8GB or more on DDR3 RAM
  • -3 Ð
    randomizer , January 16, 2010 8:47 AM
    It's worth installing if you want to reformat, but it's a waste of time and disk space installing a cumulative security patch over the top of the security patches you've already got. That's basically what most Windows SPs are - cumulative patches.
  • 7 Ð
    jhansonxi , January 16, 2010 8:56 AM
    Service packs have become a marketing tool since the updates are usually already available. It would have to be substantial to have any real benefit (like XP SP2).
  • -2 Ð
    jblack , January 16, 2010 9:31 AM
    Isn't this going to screw some IT people? --- I thought Microsoft was going to stop offering Windows XP 18 months after 7 came out OR when SP1 comes out for Windows 7, whichever is sooner. I hope everyone has tested this before Microsoft shuts off the supply of Windows XP.
  • 5 Ð
    eddieroolz , January 16, 2010 10:25 AM
    Even now Windows 7 is pretty much perfect, but any improvement is good improvement :) 
  • -4 Ð
    knowom , January 16, 2010 10:44 AM
    XP64 SP2 still is the best OS around overall to me. Microsoft needs to start taking a minimalism approach to OS's where users can pick and choose more of what is or isn't installed as part of the OS itself and leaner, cleaner, more efficient code. Black box for windows is a prime example of the kind of mentality Microsoft should be taking.
  • 5 Ð
    heroofspirits , January 16, 2010 1:32 PM
    Shadow703793Wow... that's quick for a SP release.

    Sorry have to do this... Thats what she said!
  • 0 Ð
    timbo , January 16, 2010 8:10 PM
    Excellent news. Been wanting to upgrade from xp anyhow, glad I didn't buy vista.
  • -5 Ð
    Regulas , January 16, 2010 8:26 PM
    Shouldn't they be saying Vista SP3?
  • 0 Ð
    SchizoFrog , January 17, 2010 1:54 AM
    I tend to reinstall every 6 months or so and a service pack is great for updating the OS security before I plug in to the net as it just makes it more simple. As for a waste of space, maybe it is... but my system drive has plenty to spare and my mass storage is on another drive.
  • -4 Ð
    SchizoFrog , January 17, 2010 1:54 AM
    I tend to reinstall every 6 months or so and a service pack is great for updating the OS security before I plug in to the net as it just makes it more simple. As for a waste of space, maybe it is... but my system drive has plenty to spare and my mass storage is on another drive.
  • -4 Ð
    Upendra09 , January 17, 2010 2:30 AM
    Shadow703793Wow... that's quick for a SP release.


    it won't be very big either
  • -1 Ð
    Gin Fushicho , January 17, 2010 3:05 AM
    Damn , quick on the ball lately aren't they?
  • 0 Ð
    p05esto , January 17, 2010 4:25 AM
    I really hope they bring back the classic start menu, or at least make it MUCH more customizable. I want it LONGER so I can pin more programs....and I want to be able to add folders and group programs on the start menu (graphics, games, office, utilities, etc). The win7 Start menu is a huge disaster to power users and those with lots of programs and don't want to hunt through the all programs folder constantly.geeze.

    The quick launch icons are also screwed up. Too much spacing between them and they don't stay put. It's a horrible step backwards.

    I also don't like grouping of open windows on the taskbar. I turned the feature off but it still does it for some reason in IE. Not that MS is going to read this post....
  • 0 Ð
    BadTrip , January 17, 2010 5:04 AM
    Does seem a bit soon.
  • -2 Ð
    my_name_is_earl , January 17, 2010 5:34 AM
    Win7 is already stable for me but I guess H1N1 shot wouldn't hurt.
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