Windows 7 SP1 RTM due on February 16 for MSDN customers, Feb22 for web

I would imagine that it's because of the European Union and how they managed to force Microsoft to strip IE out of their Windows-whatever install disks for their region and instead, provide an automated screen prompting the install for the browser of your choice after installation instead. If they integrated IE9 into SP1, the EU would be in another uproar over IE being forced onto consumers. So I suppose they figure its safer to just provide IE9 in another, separate update to avoid another litigation with the EU.

Even aside from the EU and their legal wrangling, it doesn't make any sense to include IE9 from an IT standpoint, either. SP1 is mainly a security roll-up. It has a few new fetaures here and there, but nothing earth-shattering. Many companies are (sadly) not even on IE8 yet, and since much of what we do is through our browsers now...SharePoint, Portals, etc....the browser should be separate so it can be handled/tested/troubleshot separately.

It's showing up in my TechNet now....but only as integrated discs so far. Not that I'm complaining.

Could those that are lucky enough to be able to obtain the integrated ISO files though MSDN or Technet, please post the MD5 checksums of their ISO downloads. I'm sure there are some like me that would like to double check them against what they downloaded though other means. I snagged Ultimate 32 and 64 bit that were leaked to the interwebs. I don't have access to MSDN or Technet.

EDIT: I have got to learn to type faster. Thank you Ex_Brit