Microsoft Launches Public Beta of Windows 7 SP1

In the ongoing Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft has announced the availability of public beta of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1. Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft explains on Windows Blog that the SP1 for Windows 7 will not have any new features. It will just be a bundle of updates already available through Windows Update and few hotfixes. However, the SP1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 does have new features which will make Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) experience richer on Windows 7.

Just before the launch of Windows 7, many analysts were cautioning people to wait for Windows 7 SP1 before deciding to jump from XP or Vista. I guess people have nothing more to wait for now. Microsoft had earlier announced that it will discontinue sales and support for Windows XP once the Windows SP1 is launched. But Microsoft has decided to extend the downgrade rights to Windows XP Professional for some more time.

Explaining why people should switch to Microsoft Windows 7, LeBlanc said that 64.7 percent of enterprises have already begun or will begin their migration to Windows 7 within the next 6 months and 89 percent of companies have definitive plans to begin their migration to Windows 7 within a 24-month period. He further states that after only 7 months in market, Windows 7 had nearly 14 percent share of the global OS market, according to Net Applications for June 2010. Microsoft had recently announced that it has sold 150 million licenses of Windows 7.

If anyone is interested in upgrading to public beta of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 then they can get it here. Microsoft has also announced that Windows 7 SP1 final version will be launched in the first half of 2011.