Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Now Out For Public Download

As we had noted, build 7601.17514 is the final release of the Service Pack 1 for both, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. It is now available for the public to download, straight from Microsoft servers. The final SP1 (also known as RTM) was scheduled for public release only from February 22nd, whereas it had been provided to big manufacturers earlier and was already revealed/available by January 25th for adventurous users.
Microsoft no longer says that you'll need Service Pack 1 to install the final version of Internet Explorer 9 - IE9 will take the liberty of installing additional operating system components that are already part of SP1. Windows 7 SP1 takes roughly 30 minutes to install, and you'll have to restart the computer halfway through. System requirements and detailed installation instructions can also be found on Microsoft's Website.

Here are the most notable changes in SP1:
1. A bug fix for HDMI audio devices that stopped working after restarting the computer.
2. Corrected behaviour when printing mixed-orientation XPS documents.
3. Changed behaviour of the "Restore previous folders at logon" functionality so that all folders are restored to their previous position, rather than in cascading order based on the most recently active folders.

That is right, expect no major feature additions. Microsoft is continuing its philosophy of keeping its Service Packs simple and clean, keeping it a cumulative pack of Windows Updates released so far, and then some fixes. The Windows 7 SP1 can be received onto your computer in four ways.
1. Windows Update - SP1 will be only a small patch and will download quickly if you have been keeping your OS up-to-date uptil now.
2. Microsoft Download Center - Useful to be able to apply the update when offline, or to multiple laptop/desktop PCs.
3. Place online order for an SP1 update DVD - If you have no other way of obtaining it.
4. Use SP1-integrated OS DVD - Handy for an OS install from scratch, can be obtained from stores, or downloaded if you have a TechNet/MSDN subscription.

Notably, the Microsoft Download Center has the SP1 update installer protected with a "WGA" mechanism, to allow downloads only for people with a genuinely purchased Windows OS. Also, the files offered for download are huge in size. This is because only the "Wave 1" installers have been put up (with support for 36 languages). The "Wave 0" installer (5 languages) is atleast 40% smaller - don't worry, both "Waves" of the release support English.

The 32-bit SP1 (Wave 1) weighs in at 537.8 MB, the 64-bit SP1 is 903.2 MB, and the comprehensive DVD ISO image that includes both besides "checked" builds with debugging Symbols (useful for developers) weighs in at 1953.3 MB. If updating to SP1 won't be a one-time task for you, get the SP1-integrated install disc, whose file-size is almost the same as the non-SP1 Windows 7. Useful links if you are ready for the update and have been waiting for the SP1 official release: