What Microsoft has in store for Windows 7 Service Pack 1

[Lite]

History will likely show this to have been a wise decision, with Windows 7 now gaining a reputation as one of the most polished initial desktop OS releases Microsoft has ever put forth -- even better than the legendary Windows 2000 Professional. So it really comes as no surprise that the interest level surrounding a potential SP1 beta in the spring/summer of this year is still quite low. Everyone seems so content with the Windows 7 RTM build that speculation about what might be in such an initial service pack barely registers on most IT shop radars.

What Windows 7 SP1 will likely do

Yet speculate we must. Beyond the obvious bug fixes and security patches, we'll no doubt see support for the new USB 3.0 standard. Likewise, enhancements to the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi stacks will be slipstreamed in, allowing Windows 7 to retain its mantle as the most easily configured version ever.

But perhaps the most significant "update" to come out of Service Pack 1 will be the fact that it exists at all, and that by delivering it to market Microsoft will be signaling that it is now OK for IT shops to pull the trigger on their Windows 7 deployments. So here's to an early SP1 release -- and a final dismissal of that pesky rule of thumb.

View: Original Article

[Lite]

Holding out for SP1 before making the leap to Windows 7? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that Service Pack 1 for Microsoft’s latest OS is now on the horizon.

So, what’s likely to be in SP1? Top of the list will be all the patches and bug fixes that have been delivered to customers already. If you’re keeping up with patches than you already have these. On top of these patches and bug fixes will be tweaks and fixes based on feedback and telemetry received by Microsoft. Don’t expect anything ground-breaking here, it’ll mostly be under the hood tweaks.

SP1 will also bring with it support for new technologies. USB 3.0 is likely to be at the top of what is, admittedly, a short list.

I’ve received several reports that SP1 is already undergoing testing, and I’ve seen several lists of post-RTM build numbers for Windows 7, but these reports will remain unconfirmed until I see code (if you have code, let me know …). Given the buzz, I’m convinced that SP1 is in the pipeline.

So, if there’s not that much new going to be in SP1, what’s the big deal? Well, it’s really all down to the mantra that business and enterprise users will wait for SP1 before deploying a new OS (didn’t work for Vista, where SP1 didn’t really kick-start adoption of the OS). Rumors that SP1 is in the pipeline (a logical assumption given past history) is an indicator for business to start thinking about testing and deployment.

Note: Is this soon to be thinking about SP1? Is Microsoft rushing SP1 out of the door to help encourage adoption? SP1 for Vista came out some 15 months after the OS went RTM, while SP1 for XP took a little more than a year. I don’t see SP1 for Windows 7 being out before October, so it’s hardly a rush.

Are you eager for SP1? Seems to be that those already running Windows 7 seem happy enough with it and can’t see any immediate need for a service pack. That said, the flip-side is that there are those who will, no matter what, hold out for SP1. Who’s right and who’s wrong? To be honest, unless you are involved with Microsoft, it doesn’t really matter.

View: Original Article

[Night Owl]

I'm already using Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and I'm loving it. There is no need to wait for a service pack as far as my experience is concerned.

[Bizarre™]

M$ surely is enthusiastic about their new toy :tooth:

[harpua]

I'm already using Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and I'm loving it. There is no need to wait for a service pack as far as my experience is concerned.

Same here.

[DNM]

I'm already using Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and I'm loving it. There is no need to wait for a service pack as far as my experience is concerned.

Same here. :)

[cincyfan43]

Hi to all!

I am more than happy with what I am using. Gates should leave it alone.