Installing the Windows 7 SP1 Beta

After downloading the much anticipated Service Pack for Windows 7, here comes the installation.  So let’s see, I have Windows 7 Enterprise installed on my notebook with AMD Athlon Neo dual core processor, 2 GB of RAM, 320 GB of hard disk space.  Should my specs be enough?

As per checking, Installation requirements of the Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 is the same as the requirements for installation of the Windows 7 RTM (1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor,  1 GB of RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit),  16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit), DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver, and DVD-compatible drive).  This time the only requirement that you need to comply with, is that an RTM version of Windows 7 must be installed in your system to cater the installation of the SP1.  So does my notebook complied with the requirements? Yes! So let’s install the SP1 Beta!

Before installing the  SP1, it is recommended that you have to backup your current settings or your system.  Though Microsoft assured that we can always uninstall the SP1, creating an image of your system will be enough for easy restoration should any problems will occur after the SP1 installation.  After backing up your system, you may now proceed with the installation.

The SP1 comes in a 1.2 GB ISO file.  Either you’ll burn the file in a blank DVD or just mount it in your virtual drive.  The ISO file includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the SP1 Beta for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. 

To start with the installation, you must close or exit all running programs and applications so that it won’t interfere with the setup process.  Below is the step by step screenshot of the setup process.

And there you go the Beta release of the Windows 7 SP1 is now installed in your system!  Just a reminder this is a Beta release which means bugs may be encountered!  If so, you are encouraged to report or to send a feedback to Microsoft for them to make a fix on any bug or problem encountered during the evaluation period.

For more information about the Windows 7 SP1 Beta you may download the documentations here.  The following documentation for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Beta is included in the link provided:

• Hotfixes and Security Updates included in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Beta

• Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta Notable Changes

• Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta Test Guidance

For additional information (including how to deploy the service pack and how to join the public beta), please see http://technet.microsoft.com/evalcenter/ff183870.aspx. Support URLs: http://technet.microsoft.com/evalcenter/ff183870.aspx