I miss Windows XP SP2 and SP3, those service packs were real game changers. Heck, wifi was barely usable pre-SP2. Since then (in my old man voice), these service packs have been nothing more than update roll-ups. Don’t look for that trend to change with Windows 7 SP1 today though Server 2008 R2 is receiving a little more significant of an update.
You can review the accompanying documentation to today’s release from the Microsoft Download Center. Documents include a deployment guide, hotfixes and security updates included list, a list of notable changes, and the accompanying release notes for each service pack.
Notable changes for Windows 7 include:
- Additional support for communication with third-party federation services
- Improved HDMI audio device performance
- Corrected behavior when printing mixed-orientation XPS documents
Whoopie! /Sarcasm
Notable changes for Windows Server 2008 R2 include:
- Dynamic memory
- Microsoft RemoteFX
- Enhancements to scalability and high availability when using DirectAccess
- Support for Managed Service Accounts in secure branch office scenarios
- Support for increased volume of authentication traffic on domain controllers connected to high-latency networks
- Enhancements to Failover Clustering with Storage
Notable changes for both 7 and Server 2008 R2:
- Change to behavior of “Restore previous folders at logon” functionality
- Enhanced support for additional identities in RRAS and IPsec
- Support for Advanced Vector Extensions
- Improved support for Advanced Format (512e) storage devices
For more on Microsoft RemoteFX and Hyper-V Dynamic Memory, consult their respective TechNet pages by following the links.
You can find out more details regarding Windows 7 SP1, including the following detail on cleaning up system files after installing a service pack.
After installing Windows 7 SP1, you can remove the service pack installation files by running Disk Cleanup and clicking on the “Clean up system files” button and checking “Service Pack Backup Files” to free up space.
We recommend only doing this a few weeks after installing Windows 7 SP1. Please note that once you do this you will be unable to remove Windows 7 SP1 from your PC.
It is recommended that customers use Windows Update to get SP1 but you can find a standalone version in both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures available for download. Of note, users updating through Windows Update or WSUS will need to install the Servicing Stack Update (KB 976902) as a prerequisite to installing Service Pack 1.