ESET's Director of Technical Education Talks Windows 7 SP1
The first service pack for Windows 7, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1), was rolled out to the public precisely a week ago, on the 22nd of February, 2011. Soon after the release, Windows Update started pushing the service pack to Windows 7 users. I myself saw the update prompt the following day, on the 23rd of February. I nthe update prompt, Microsoft’s description of SP1 went like this:
“Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is a recommended collection of updates and improvements to Windows that are combined into a single installable update. The service pack can help make your computer safer and more reliable. A typical installation will take about 30 minutes to complete, and you will have to restart your computer about halfway through the process.”
If you clicked the More Information link you would be presented with more info on what SP1 is and why you should get it. You would be told that: ““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.”
Didn’t get SP1 yet? If you didn’t then there’s really no big reason why you should hurry and get it now. Randy Abrams, Director of Technical Education, Cyber Threat Analysis Center, ESET North America, explained that Windows 7 SP1 “does not have any significantly compelling updates for most users.” If you keep your Windows 7 operating system up-to-date and got all the updates Microsoft pushed out, then there’s no compelling reason to get it. If you’re not up-to-date on your updates, then it is a good idea to get it – to keep it safe, you know.
Abrams said that the answer to the “should I get Windows 7 SP1?” question is that it is up to you. “If the service pack fixes something you have had problems with, then install it. If the service pack adds some functionality for you, then install it. If there are no compelling reasons, then take your time, but eventually you will need to install it when support for Windows 7 without the service pack is discontinued,” said Abrams.
Abrams said he got SP1 and didn’t notice anything different on his system. I myself got the update as soon as it was released; I got it because I told myself “hey, it can’t hurt to get it.”
If you would like to get Windows 7 SP1, you can get it via Windows Update or from the Microsoft Download Center here.
Check out this article to see what you should do before installing SP1.
If you need help installing Windows 7 SP1, check out this help article.
“Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is a recommended collection of updates and improvements to Windows that are combined into a single installable update. The service pack can help make your computer safer and more reliable. A typical installation will take about 30 minutes to complete, and you will have to restart your computer about halfway through the process.”
If you clicked the More Information link you would be presented with more info on what SP1 is and why you should get it. You would be told that: ““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.”
Didn’t get SP1 yet? If you didn’t then there’s really no big reason why you should hurry and get it now. Randy Abrams, Director of Technical Education, Cyber Threat Analysis Center, ESET North America, explained that Windows 7 SP1 “does not have any significantly compelling updates for most users.” If you keep your Windows 7 operating system up-to-date and got all the updates Microsoft pushed out, then there’s no compelling reason to get it. If you’re not up-to-date on your updates, then it is a good idea to get it – to keep it safe, you know.
Abrams said that the answer to the “should I get Windows 7 SP1?” question is that it is up to you. “If the service pack fixes something you have had problems with, then install it. If the service pack adds some functionality for you, then install it. If there are no compelling reasons, then take your time, but eventually you will need to install it when support for Windows 7 without the service pack is discontinued,” said Abrams.
Abrams said he got SP1 and didn’t notice anything different on his system. I myself got the update as soon as it was released; I got it because I told myself “hey, it can’t hurt to get it.”
If you would like to get Windows 7 SP1, you can get it via Windows Update or from the Microsoft Download Center here.
Check out this article to see what you should do before installing SP1.
If you need help installing Windows 7 SP1, check out this help article.
