Win7 SP1 released to public

panais said:

Thanks NH but i tried almost everything for days with the same result.

Well besides those references there are a few other things you can try. Since one article pointed to an item with the registry preventing the SP1 install that could be taken care of the next time you need a fresh install of Windows. Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 into a Installation DVD or ISO File

Besides a clean install however the link on the error screen is what to pay attention since the MS page will have precise instructions which saw immediate results when not having been able to get SP1 installed here.

kbronski said:

Is SP1 really that necessary? If it's not, I don't think I'll install it. I'm scared it will slow down my system.

The only thing that may run slow will be the installation of the service pack itself. Once on you shouldn't actually notice anything different.

As far as the need for any SP watch the last versions to now see SP3-XP or SP2-Vista required! Eventually SP1 for 7 and later SP2 will also become a requirement for various things.

James Colbert said:

Apologies if this is already answered, but are there plans to address the inability to repair install those systems that didn't acquire SP1 via a retail SP1 install disc (or the subscription, etc.)?

James

Hello James,

A repair install was never an official Microsoft fix but a workaround based on a inplace-upgrade install but using the same edition instead. Unfortunately, it does have it's limitations listed here in the warning box. No retail installation disc with SP1 included pretty much equals no repair install.

One option to consider for your next clean install of Windows would be using a 7 disk with SP1 already integrated. Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 into a Installation DVD or ISO File

The disk used would then be the repair media as well as the installation media. It solves the install SP1 separately issue as well.

Once a clean install is performed with any SP1 integrated medium dvd or usb flash drive made into an install key that would become one repair medium. The other is the option found in the Control Panel>Backup & Restore section for creating a repair cd unique for that Windows installation that contains the same repair tools found on the retail disk. System Repair Disc - Create

The repair cd would be made new once the integrated installation was seen. The disk will identify itself with that installation. That's especially good when you use a flash drive for the Windows installation on anything but a netbook where you won't have the optical drive seen.

Both the install dvd or flash drive and repair cd can be used for minor startup issues and having the command prompt option available while booted live. That allows you to use the system restore feature or even restore a full system image if required. The original retail disk is then simply placed in a safe placed stored in it's own case once you have used an integrated media for SP1.

I just saw SP1 go on a brand new laptop in 20 minutes without fuss. Then I made a full image of the drive with SP1 and updates on.

Eventually SP1 and later SP2 will become a requirement to have installed. New programs to be seen will often require the service packs such as SP2 or SP3 for XP and SP1 or SP2 for Vista is presently required for a large number of items.