Service pack

I wanted to remind folks that as of today July 12th, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is no longer supported. We recommend folks look at upgrading to Windows 7 which is the fastest selling operating system in history selling over 400 million licenses to-date. Windows Vista users can also use Windows Update to update their PC to the latest service pack available which is Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Starting today, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 will be available to everyone via the Microsoft Download Center and start rolling out via Windows Update. Most people will simply get Windows 7 SP1 via Windows Update when it becomes available to them (See Learn how to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1).

Starting today, MSDN and TechNet Subscribers as well as Volume License customers will be able to download Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1). Next week on February 22^nd, everybody else will be able to download SP1 from the Microsoft Download Center or Windows Update. As people begin downloading and installing SP1, I thought I’d take the opportunity to highlight some tips and recommendations for people before moving forward with their installation.

Have you downloaded the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP Beta yet?

For those of you who use the Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool, we want to let you know that the Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 blockers will expire on August 24^th 2010. After the expiration date, Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 will be offered through Windows Update on computers that had previously installed the block.

Just a reminder that - as announced in April 2008 - as of October 22, 2010, OEMs will no longer be able to pre-install Windows XP Home on new netbook PCs.  However for a majority of our customers, they may not notice much change; many PC makers have already been actively manufacturing and selling a broad set of Windows 7 netbooks since Windows 7 released in October, 2009.

I just wanted to remind readers that as of today, April 13^th, Windows Vista with no Service Packs (also known as RTM) will no longer be supported. We recommend folks running Windows Vista RTM look at upgrading to Windows 7 or using Windows Update to update their PC to the latest service pack available for Windows Vista today – Service Pack 2.

Back in October 2009 we talked about upcoming dates for end of support for certain Windows XP and Windows Vista versions. Those dates are getting closer and this is the time to remind customers running these versions that there is a need to take an action.