Windows 7 Service Pack 1

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is an important update that includes previously released security, performance, and stability updates for Windows 7. SP1 also includes new improvements to features and services in Windows 7, such as improved reliability when connecting to HDMI audio devices, printing using the XPS Viewer, and restoring previous folders in Windows Explorer after restarting.

Installing SP1 helps keep Windows 7 up to date. For information on how to get SP1, see Learn how to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1). 

How to get SP1

The recommended (and easiest) way to get SP1 is to turn on automatic updating in Windows Update in Control Panel, and wait for Windows 7 to notify you that SP1 is ready to install. It takes about 30 minutes to install, and you'll need to restart your computer about halfway through the installation.

If you have problems getting the service pack from Windows Update, you can download the SP1 installation package from the Microsoft Download Center, and then install SP1 manually. Go to the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 download webpage on the Microsoft website, and then click Continue. For more information click here.

History of Service packs

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) was announced on March 18, 2010. A beta was released on July 12, 2010.^{[121][122][123]} Microsoft confirmed that the service pack is to be on a much smaller scale than those released for previous versions of Windows, particularly Windows Vista.^[124]

On April 7, 2010, a build of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 dated from March 27, 2010 was leaked onto torrent sites.^[125][126] The leaked service pack has a build number of 6.1.7601.16537.amd64fre.win7.100327-0053 and installation has been reported to be much quicker than service packs for previous versions of Windows.^[127]

On October 6, 2010, Softpedia reports that Microsoft released a Release Candidate Escrow of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 build "6.1.7601.17104" only available to Select Testers and close partners of Microsoft.^[128]

On October 26, 2010, Microsoft officially released the Release Candidate of the Service Pack 1 for Windows 7. It has a version number of "6.1.7601.17105". ^[129]

On February 9, 2011, Microsoft officially released the final release (RTM) of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to OEM partners. On February 16th Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 was made available for MSDN and TechNet Subscribers as well as Volume License customers. On February 22nd, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 have become generally available for download via the Microsoft Download Center and available on Windows Update. It has a version number of "6.1.7601.17514.101119-1850".^[130]

On February 22, 2011, Microsoft officially released Service Pack 1 (SP1). Windows 7 does not require you to update to Service Pack 1 since it contains already patched updates from previous security and bug fixes.^[131][132]

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