Microsoft Sending Windows 7 SP1 Beta Invites

Reports are indicating that Microsoft is now sending out invites to potential Windows 7 SP1 beta testers. The email--which began making its rounds on Tuesday--is informing the potential candidates that they are receiving the invitations "based on the quality of feedback you have provided on previous Windows programs." The select number of testers were picked by the Windows Customer Connection Team.

As Microsoft previously indicated, SP1 will not offer Windows 7-specific features, but rather serves as a culmination of updates released since the OS hit the market--a few additional hotfixes thrown into the mix. For Windows Server 2008 R2, the new service pack will provide RemoteFX, a 3D graphical experience for remote users, and Dynamic Memory, a feature that allows Windows Server Hyper-V to "dynamically allocate more or less memory to each VM as needed, provided a more scalable and better performing VDI environment."

Although SP1 isn't expected to "ship" until the end of the year, Microsoft said earlier this month that the public beta will go live by the end of July. However the technical beta testers--those now receiving the emails--are expected to receive their portions by the end of the month. An earlier build of SP1 was even leaked onto the Internet back in April, and is currently residing on file-sharing sites (build 7601.16556 and others).

While Microsoft is now sending out emails to beta testers, hackers will more than likely do the same. Windows 7 users will need to pay close attention to received SP1 emails and evaluate where they're from, where they go (in regards to links), and their overall appearance. While this is common sense, it's also common knowledge that hackers will go all out to fool users into handing over personal information.