Hardware 2.0

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Yes, Windows 7 SP1 is on the horizon

By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes | January 13, 2010, 10:43am PST

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.

Waiting for SP1?

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Operating System, Patch Management, Microsoft Corp., SP1, USB 3.0, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Patches, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology.

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SP1 didn't stop my school

Win7 is already in the testing phase and we're looking at deploying within the year (Yay!). I don't think I'll shed a tear when XP is shut down for the last time.
Cylon Centurion
13th Jan 2010
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Same here.....

I am working on getting this out to the users and will be so much happier when XP is gone. I don't have much issues with XP because all the users run as users and not admins so I have very little if any security issues with these systems, but I am ready for a change and ease of management Windows 7 gives me.
OhTheHumanity
13th Jan 2010
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Same here

The plan here at a private university is to deploy it with the new computers in the summer. I'm hoping to be able to trickle out a few new machines with Windows 7 before then. Right now, I need to set up a WDS server for deployment.
rag@...
13th Jan 2010
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Grab a copy of MDT....

if you don't already use another deployment system, grab the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010. It makes WDS deployment easier for new users, but it also gives you an upgrade path to System Center Configuration Manager, should you need more advanced options.

MDT is free. It doesn't require WDS (you can also do USB/DVD-based deployment), but will leverage it if you have it.
Joe_Raby
13th Jan 2010
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Nor mine. We jumped to Vista in 2008.

SP1 or not, we will be running Windows 7 in student labs by Fall. Some of us have been running Windows 7 in the office since the public beta. I was running it on hardware from 2003 for months. (No Aero but I had full functionality and adequate speed.)
mwagner@...
14th Jan 2010
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No need to wait

Should you do some extensive testing before distributing a new OS or new piece of software, most definitely. But there is no need to wait for SP1 before you begin that testing or a rollout if you have already done some testing.

My only hold up for rolling out Windows 7 is pretty much the licensing. Would like to get our Domain controllers updated to Server 2008 first too but other than that it works great in the few areas I have been using it in at my school district. In fact our teachers are the driving force for the change. I get asked everyday when we are going to switch and if I can put Windows 7 in their work area/lab now because they like it so much and it makes their daily job easier and more fun.
bobiroc
13th Jan 2010
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They are rushing what they assume will trigger me to buy win 7.... but

they are wrong.

I have been testing the OS for over a year now and haven't found anything i cant live without.

I need to test it with my 2003 domain, possibly upgrade my DC's to 2008 or 2003 R2 to get it working correctly with all my GPO's.

My big question is print server scripts. I havent tested those yet either.

I am pretty certain all my software will work flawlessly with it since all of it worked with vista.

Sevice pack 1 means nothing to me.
Been_Done_Before
13th Jan 2010
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Same thing I say

I usually tell clients the following:

If they're coming from XP, Windows 7 is a big switch. They should probably buy it with new hardware on their desktop fleet because systems that came with XP probably won't run it that well (unless they were Vista licenses that were downgraded to XP).

If they're coming from Vista, and they think that Windows 7 will change everything drastically, someone needs to give their head a shake. If their Vista machines are slow and clunky, it's more than likely the configuration, not Vista itself. Windows 7 won't magically change every woe that they blame on Vista just because it's new. The only upside with Windows 7 upgrades from Vista compatibility problems is XP Mode, but then they probably already decided to stick with XP just for that reason anyway.

If they want to upgrade to Windows 7, and have compatibility problems with legacy software and Vista, my recommendation is to wait until their upgrade cycle and buy new AMD hardware with Windows 7 Pro, take advantage of native 64-bit for all their normal applications like Office, and run XP Mode for their legacy applications (XP Mode is 32-bit too).

Generally speaking, if an application hasn't been tested enough to work on 64-bit, it probably runs like crap on Vista or Windows 7 anyway. Software and hardware that isn't compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista/7 should be avoided like the plague because those vendors are bad news for strategic IT adopters. They'll keep you behind the curve. XP Mode is a temporary software compatibility solution. AMD's platforms with VT support are a lot cheaper than Intel's offerings though, and that's why I recommend them. XP Mode is one of those last-mile compatibility options for businesses wanting to upgrade, and it's a 32-bit environment, so it can allow those old applications to run, regardless of the host environment. It's a crutch though. Get your software vendors to update their wares.

FYI: Hardware that is WHQL "Certified for Windows" has to pass driver tests for both 32-bit and 64-bit support. Hardware vendors that still haven't written drivers for Vista 64-bit are WAAAAY behind. There really isn't much reason for anybody to stick with a 32-bit platform anymore now that Windows 7 includes XP Mode. Even USB devices are supported. I use Windows 7 Pro x64 with XP Mode for compatibility with my Dymo DiscPainter. I have the the device disabled in the host OS Device Manager, but it works in XP Mode because Dymo doesn't write their own drivers, and the contract development company they use sucks big time.
Joe_Raby
13th Jan 2010
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Server03 Domain and scripts

So far it has worked with our print servers running on Server 2003 but we do have a few small issues with some vbs scripts that we use for mapping network drives and such. I found an article on technet a while back that described a different way to run those scripts that are more secure. We are in the same boat and plan on upgrading our Domain Controllers to Server 2008 R2 this spring and rolling out Windows 7 to the computers that can run it. We do have some 6+ year old computers still being used so they will phase out with XP, but as newer ones come in we will grow with Windows 7.
bobiroc
13th Jan 2010
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No upgrade for me

I'll wait till I buy a new computer to get Windows
7. It has nothing I can't currently live without.
SystemVoid
13th Jan 2010
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That is a good option for many

isn't it great to have a choice. That is why MS will still offer support for XP for probably 4 - 5 more years or when they see the usage is not there anymore. Hell you could still use Windows 98 today if you wanted to but just don't expect any updates to be out there for it.
bobiroc
13th Jan 2010
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Its ok, they are still selling xp on new systems for business

just got a new tablet option from lenovo that will be released next month and they are offering xp installed.

Resellers know what businesses want.. even if MS doesnt
Been_Done_Before
13th Jan 2010
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Ugh

Why???????? Get rid of that junk!
Cylon Centurion
13th Jan 2010
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XP Tablet

Why when there is so much more you can do with the tablet functions of Windows 7 (or Vista for that matter)

Yes many OEMs are still offering XP until about March or April of this year to give consumers the choice but most people or business do not really need to downgrade but many still believe that they need to based on FUD and false information.
bobiroc
14th Jan 2010
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Only according to you

Yes many OEMs are still offering XP until about March or April of this year to give consumers the choice but most people or business do not really need to downgrade but many still believe that they need to based on FUD and false information.

If it was truly FUD, they wouldn't have continued to offer a downgrade option for Win7. Unless Win7 isn't so wonderful after all... Hmmm?
Wintel BSOD
14th Jan 2010
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