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Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

Summary: For those of you who want to be on the bleeding edge, or just want a chance to take it for a spin, Microsoft has released the first public beta of Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

For those of you who want to be on the bleeding edge, or just want a chance to take it for a spin, Microsoft has released the first public beta of Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Also available is the beta of SP1 for Windows Server 2008 R2.

It's worth noting that the service pack consists of all updates released so far but that no new features will be a part of this release.

Here are the system requirements:

  • 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
  • 1 GB of RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
  • 16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
  • DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
  • DVD-compatible drive
  • Internet access (fees may apply)

Here's where you can find the download.

Topics: Operating Systems, Microsoft, Software, Windows

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33 comments
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  • So in other words

    Those who are up to date on Windows Updates already have SP1 Beta ;), they just don't have the tag in the System Properties box.
    The one and only, Cylon Centurion
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

      @NStalnecker - Not quite. There are a few key enhanced features coming in SP1, not least of which are RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory (for Hyper-V).
      de-void-21165590650301806002836337787023
      Reply Vote

      • True

        @de-void

        But From what I understand, they're not in the beta.
        The one and only, Cylon Centurion
        Reply Vote

  • What is this then?

    From the site
    Please Note: This early release of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta is not available for home users. The SP1 Beta does not provide new end-user features, and installation is not supported by Microsoft.
    MoeFugger
    Reply Vote

  • But will it fix the Explorer.exe crashes on 64 bit version?

    There are 100's of reports of Explorer (not IE) crashing randomly and for no apparent reason on 64 bit versions of Windows 7 (just google windows 7 64 bit explorer...and you will know what i mean).

    What I want to know is if Microsoft is going to fix this in SP1? They cannot keep blaming other software vendors for ever for this issue.
    k_chahal@...
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

      @k_chahal@... what crashes? I been using Win 7 ultimate 64 bit from day 1 with no issues. This is news to me.
      Randalllind
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

        @Randalllind
        Same here and I know of no others that have had problems regardless of what a few on Google say.
        MoeFugger
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

        @Randalllind <br>I installed WIN7 Home Premium 64bit and had nothing but trouble using WinEXplorer. Frequent hangs mostly. Also lots of problems trying to run xp programs in WIN7. I cleared the HD and installed the 32-bit version and guess what? I haven't had a problem since. Finally I upgraded to WIN7 Pro<br>and it is working very well also. Only one program so far that hasn't played well with WIN 7Pro.
        jeroldo
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

      @k_chahal@... I've not had a single explorer.exe crash with win7 64 (pro), and I've been using it since Beta 1. now I have to admit that there've been crash issues with ie8 on a somewhat regular (read as 1x per every 2 weeks, or so) basis.
      gavin142
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

      @k_chahal@...

      I've been running it since the first availability and never seen one. We are little but I figure we have close to 10 machine years running Win7
      mswift@...
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

        @mswift@... & gavin142
        I find that I don't have trouble with Explorer IF--and only if--I reboot after about 2 days or less of actual up time (not counting sleep). But if I go much beyond 2-2.5 days of up time, then I begin having problems until I reboot.
        Flyer22
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

      @k_chahal@... No Explorer crashes from me either.
      MSFTWorshipper
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

      @k_chahal@...

      I know what you mean, I found Norton Security was the cause of crashes on my system, Norton also caused issues with idle-time scans when Windows would try to go to sleep, leaving a black screen and a hard-boot needed. After removing Norton and using MSE instead I have had no issues.
      ryanstrassburg
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

    You must be a lucky one. Try Googling it and you will know what I mean.

    I contacted Windows 7 tech groups sponsored by Microsoft and they could not figure it out. I tried every ?fix? that was suggested by the Techies and the Internet but no dice.....In desperation I uninstalled 64 bit and installed 32 bit and viola....no more crashes.....running smoothly for months now.
    k_chahal@...
    Reply Vote

    • Then I must be a lucky one too

      @k_chahal@...

      No crashes here either.
      The one and only, Cylon Centurion
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

        Win7 64 ultimate, since beta release , no explorer crashes just third party hang-ups.
        netsecuritypro
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

      @k_chahal@...
      Strongly suspect you had x64 driver issue(s). I too have been running 64 bit since the Beta. No problems.
      But who the $%^&* still uses IE?
      bigjuliefromchicago
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

        @bigjuliefromchicago
        My thoughts exactly. Some hardware vendors are in denial of supporting 64-bit fully.
        ryanstrassburg
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Windows 7 SP1 public beta available for download

    i've got win7 ultimate on a hot-rodded e6500...once in a great while..under heavy loads, win explorer says it crashed....but, unlike previous windows, it restarts and stays solid while i am busy doing whatever it was...
    it would be nice if millions of win7 users screamed about the windows search that now totally sux...but other than that win7 rocks.
    gabrielbear@...
    Reply Vote

    • Win search sucks?

      @gabrielbear@...

      How? I love it. It works better than what we saw with XP.
      The one and only, Cylon Centurion
      Reply Vote
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