Windows 7: I'm struggling to install SP1 on my windows 7 ultimate 32-bit laptop.

I now realise a clean install is the way forward but is SP1 an essential? Or can I get by without it?

Windows SP1 is not required however it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Some updates will not be possible unless you have SP1 first. There is also a lot of programs that sometimes required SP1. Besides a lot of the updates only help in the later road. There has been many times when a user is experiencing problems and i come to find out his OS is not updated. After the updates are downloaded and completed what do you know, the program is working like it's suppose to be.

It is entirely your choice.

Install Service Pack 1 on your system.
Think of Windows 7 as the best Service Pack for Vista.
That is because Windows 7 is basically Windows Vista with a crapload of bugs ironed out.
Think of Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 as a major bug patch which may provide valuable
fixes to your machine which will thereby provide less opportunity for the 3l33t h4x0r.

In short- install the pack as it will fix holes in your system.

If it is required to clean install Window 7 before installing Service Pack 1 then it is better to do so. It is not very time consuming and quite easy to do.

But my understanding has been that SPs are released after lots of updates have been released because the SP puts all the released updates till then in one Pack. So you should be reasonably OK if you are regularly installing all the separately issued Windows Updates.

In that case I have 2 options-
1- Clean install windows 7 ultimate, then install SP1 before any other updates or
2- Clean install windows 7 Ultimate including SP1.
Am I right in thinking these are my only options? Or is there a way to sort this without losing all my data? (Even though I've backed it up.)
If so, where can I find a download of option 2 and will my Key still work?

P.s., thanks for the replies.

Also, which pack should I download if this is the way forward?

You have a 32-bit windows 7 Ultimate therefore you should download and install
windows6.1-KB976932-X86.exe which is 537.8 MB in size from Download: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details.

First off YES do install SP-1. Their are bug fixes and lots of security updates included. The easy way to do it is to have a C/D with Windows 7 that includes SP-1. If you only have a C/D with Windows 7 and no SP-1. Install Windows 7 and then check for Windows Updates. It will indicate which SP-1 is required for your operating system. It will not recommend the wrong one. When downloading and installing SP-1 stay with your computer because it may require input from you at times. Unless Windows ask for input from you do nothing on your computer, (nothing). It will take about a hour. Of course your Windows 7 must have a legal activation.

A SP is like a car engine overhaul. It becomes the OS/engine.

You should use the latest official Windows 7 ISO download with SP1 to save hours of updating time.

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59463.iso Windows 7 Ultimate x86 English
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.iso Windows 7 Ultimate x64 English

Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

Clean Reinstall steps

Cheers guys, I'll have a go tonight.