First Windows 7 service pack released

Windows 7 logo

Microsoft has issued the first service pack (SP) for Windows 7.

The update brings with it the usual reliability and security enhancements users have come to expect and is the first major tweak to the OS since its release back in 2009.

"Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is an important update that includes previously released security, performance, and stability updates for Windows 7," Microsoft said.

"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."

The service pack was released to manufacturers earlier this month but is now available as a download for all users.

"We've said all along there's no reason to wait for SP1, but with its official arrival, now there really is no better time to migrate. Windows 7 SP1 includes minor updates, including some made previously available through Windows Update. SP1 also includes client-side support for RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory, two new virtualisation features enabled in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1," Microsoft's Gavriella Schuster said on the official Windows team blog.

"If you've already begun your Windows 7 deployment, you should continue with your roll-out while doing an evaluation of SP1 in a test environment then update your images when you're ready. You also can easily deploy SP1 to existing Windows 7 PCs through management tools such as System Centre Configuration Manager and Windows Server Update Services."

SP 1's arrival follows hot on the heals of a mini update to Microsoft's mobile version of the OS, which was withdrawn almost as quickly as it was released following reports that the update crashed certain devices.

Maggie Holland

Maggie has been a journalist since 1999, starting her career as an editorial assistant on then-weekly magazine Computing, before working her way up to senior reporter level. In 2006, just weeks before ITPro was launched, Maggie joined Dennis Publishing as a reporter. Having worked her way up to editor of ITPro, she was appointed group editor of CloudPro and ITPro in April 2012. She became the editorial director and took responsibility for ChannelPro, in 2016.

Her areas of particular interest, aside from cloud, include management and C-level issues, the business value of technology, green and environmental issues and careers to name but a few.