Microsoft to push Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to users starting March 19
Summary: Microsoft is starting to push Windows 7 SP1 to Windows 7 users via Windows Update, ahead of the early April end-of-support date for the RTM version of the product.
As Microsoft marches toward its early April 2013 end of free support deadline for Windows 7, the company is planning to update automatically some of those who still have yet to install the first (and seemingly only) Service Pack for the operating system.
As announced on March 18 on the Microsoft "Blogging Windows" blog, Microsoft plans to begin rolling out Windows 7 SP1 automatically, via Windows Update to Windows 7 users who still are running the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) version without SP1 installed. This process will begin on March 19.
From the blog post:
"Starting tomorrow, the installation will be fully automatic with no user action required for those who already have Automatic Update enabled. SP1 will be released gradually over the coming weeks to all customers on the RTM version of Windows 7. The service pack will take slightly longer to install compared to other updates. To ensure Service Pack 1 is installed without issue, customers should check for sufficient free disk space and that AC power is present on a laptop. If additional space needs to be created, we recommend using the Disk Cleanup tool to delete some files so that the service pack will install. If the service pack installation is interrupted, it will reattempt to install automatically after the next restart."
This automatic update will be applied only to Windows 7 consumer PCs that are not managed via other Microsoft management tools like System Center Configuration Manager or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), the post noted. Some admins have chosen to block temporarily their users from getting SP1 until they've tested it to their satisfaction. Those in that category won't be getting SP1 pushed to them starting tomorrow.
Windows 7 RTM, with no service pack installed, will no longer be supported as of April 9, 2013, according to a February 14 post on the Microsoft Springboard Series blog. Support for specific Windows releases ends 24 months after the release of a new Service Pack, and Windows 7 SP1 was released in February 2011.
Windows 7 SP1 mainstream (free) support continues until January 13, 2015. Extended (paid) support for Windows 7 SP1 is available until January 14, 2020. (Microsoft continues to provide security updates for free during the Extended support phase of a product.)
Microsoft made available last week a Windows 7 hotfix rollup that includes 90 previously released hotfixes. It's not SP2 for Windows 7, but it's pretty darn close.
Speaking of end-of-support dates, Microsoft has noted that Windows Phone 8's support period is ending in July 2014. I'm not so sure this is the doomsday scenario many are painting this to be. I hope to have more on this later today. In the interim, like Windows SuperSite's Paul Thurrott, my read on this is Windows Phone Blue will arrive and be rolled out to existing phone customers before next July.
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Talkback
Is it SP-1 or Sp2 or what ever
We'll just have to wait for The true Microsoft techieees Loverock Davidson or Toddbottom3 or Owlllnet if tis alright to use them...................
On second thought maybe Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Unlikely. SJVN will probably push some Linux Distro to replace any Windows
His history is about attacking all things Windows and Microsoft.
He never gets it right.
(But, I gather you were just being sarcastic. Yes?)
Huh
There is no one size fit all
Two things wrong with your post...
2. that you would actually believe that Linux is anywhere even close to being better than Windows.
Huh?
2) every time I am obliged to use Windows I am reminded that the alternatives *are* better - at least in my opinion. YMMV and your fervent advocacy of anything MS-based comes from your OPINION that it is better, not fact.
You are no more RIGHT in in your adoration of Windows than anyone who is less enamoured of it than you is "wrong".
He never gets it correct, neither in the end
Something tells me I got that correct. ;)
Huh?
I know reading isn't your strong suit, but please try.
not SP2, but pretty close
Microsoft released a hotfix 'rollup' last week or so that included 90 previously released hotfixes - and a few new ones. But it is not available through the normal 'Automatic Updates' (at least not yet); it is a Technet release targeted at IT administrators. Click the link Mary Jo included in that paragraph and you will see what I mean.
Called SBSL (Slow Boot Slow Logon), it includes security patches, updated drivers, api's, etc, and a few performance enhancements. It is targeted at people who are running Win 7 SP1 and Win Server 2008 R2 SP1, and the strong suit of the update will be fully realized for those who apply it to both systems.
Actually, I would not have even seen it if it weren't for articles like this one on zdnet.
Yes, they released a slew of hotfixes
They released Service Pack 1 a long time ago. Even if you call this SP2, then you'd be wrong to say they released two services packs in a week.
Two good OSes.
jm2c
SBSL (Slow Boot Slow Logon)
Not me
Ditto on Crash Results After SBSL Installation
What are the parameters of your systems that crashed?
Notified
not sp2
If one calls the new W7 hotfix rollup a service pack, it would be accurate to say that what it is REALLY is that Microsoft put out 2 SP within a two YEAR period.
Errr....
That update mentioned is a roll-up - not a service pack. It combines 90 hotfixes into one package and is primaril;y intended for enterprises as it has entrprise related fixes - although could be used on a home/workgroup/homegroup computer.
Sp1 for win 7
Its being pushed