Windows 7 Service Pack Released – What to know
February 28, 2011 5 Comments
Microsoft released Windows 7 (and Windows Server 2008 R2) Service Pack 1 to “manufacturing”.
For all users, you can use Windows Update to install the service pack or download the service pack from Microsoft’s web site (ISO images are not available). The 32-bit edition is roughly 550 MB and the 64-bit (good for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2) edition is roughly 900 MB. It should also be available via Windows Update as an “important” update but not checked off to install. It’s listed as KB976932.
I have created a PDF the show you how to install service pack 1 on Windows 7 (quite easy actually) as well as various comments, requirements and issues. You can grab it here.
In addition, if you are in a large enough business, the Windows Automated Installation Kit has been updated to support Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.
If you are having problemd downloading SP1 from Windows Update, try the stand-alone installer. [It’s a bit hefty but at least it should install.]
A reminder that if your system has issues, SP1 won’t magically clean the issues.
I’ve written a small document on how to temprarily hide the service pack from showing in Windows Update. You can find it here. If you are not seeing the service pack in Windows Update, this could be because you are missing one or more requirements.
Comment will contain additional information.
About Edward B
Ed's Blogue 
The PDF has been updated with some issues as well as an image when you see the service pack available from Windows Update.
Pingback: Pro Blogger News
How to remove the service pack 1 files backed up:
Method 1:
To free up hard drive space (really need it with the size of the hard disks?), after installing Windows 7 SP1, you can remove the service pack installation files by running “Disk Cleanup” and then clicking on the “Clean up system files” button and then checking “Service Pack Backup Files” to free up space.
Method 2:
Depending on the offline or online installation…
DISM /image:C:\test\offline /cleanup-image /spsuperseded /hidesp
DISM /online /cleanup-image /spsuperseded
It is recommended to wait a bit before you remove the files. Once you do, SP1 can’t be removed.
Possible issues:
* Apple users may experience issues with older iTunes versions. Get the latest. Seems SP1 kills syncing.
* If you get error code 0xC800f0a12 on a failure, do the following:
1. Run DISKPART
2. automount enable
3. Restart
4. Install SP1
Alternatively make sure the System Reserved or Windows partition are active in the disk manager.
* Third party boot managers including Linuix boot managers may cause problems.
* If you have an Intel integrated graphics card, SP1 may not be offered until the drivers are updated.
* Older versions of Microsoft Security Essentials may block the installation.
* If you have language packs other than the original Windows 7 language, remove them before trying to install SP1. You will need updated language packs after as the RTM versions won’t install on SP1. This is error 0xC0000009 and can be fixed with KB2534366 before you install SP1
* McAfee Host Intrusion Protection will cause problems. Disable during the installation.
* Drive Sweeper and DriveCleaner.net related to ATI GPU drivers. See their web site.
* Those who use vLite must install from the full 500+ MB download. Otherwise the SP won’t install.
* Windows XP Mode may not function after installing SP1. Get the updated Virtual PC from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=2b6d5c18-1441-47ea-8309-2545b08e11dd
* If you get error code 0xC0000034 and your system freezes see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975484
* If you get error code 0xC0000022, remove McAfee from your syste, install SP1 and then re-install McAfee (get the latest from McAfee’s site). If you have any other anti-virus software, it may be a good idea to follow the same procedure anyways.
* If you get the error RPC_S_CALL_FAILED, then you have a problem with Windows Update. Try this link first: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Windows-Update-troubleshooter
Here’s a little tip in case you are worried that SP1 may bugger things up. Have disk space? Download both the VMware vCenter Converter Standalone edition and VMware Player from [of course] http://www.vmware.com. Get the offline installation of SP1 as well.
Install the converter. Note that you must run the app with admin elevation or the local disks don’t appear.
Create a VM of your Windows 7 system drive. If you only have one drive and partition, save the VM to a portable drive. If more than one partition, save the VM to another drive or partition. Note that you just need the system partition/drive for the VM. The P2V took me 15 minutes for 80GB worth of data [the drive is 230GB but only 80GB used]. There are options to disable services that won’t be needed in the VM. Additionally, give the VM about half the memory you have [depending on how much you have]. There also could be a limitation in the number of cores and CPU.
If you have room copy the VM to a local drive/partition [as a portable drive may be slower]. Install the VMware Player. Before you open the VM, disable your Internet access or you may have issues with activation. Adjust the hardware regarding number of optical drives, sound, etc.
Open and run the VM. You will get some messages that certain software is installed but not detected. Ignore. You don’t need to run the VMware tools if you burned the SP install to a DVD.
Run the DVD. Should take a bit of extra time because you are in a VM. At one point it may complain that Windows needs to be reactivated because of the amount of hardware changes. Ignore.
Remember that this is just a simple test. You don’t need to clean things up – just see if the SP installs correctly.
PS – This is assuming WIndows Update has told you that you can download the SP.]