53. Install Windows 7 Service Pack 1

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 has finally been released. For TechNet and MSDN subscribers the release was available for download on the 16 February 2011. Auto update will begin downloading to the general public on the 22 February 2011, so make sure your Auto Update settings are enabled to ensure you get this service pack.

As Service packs go Windows Service Pack 1 doesn't introduce anything new to the operating system; instead SP1 is simply an accumulation of previous updates along with some newer unreleased updates.

The time taken to update your machine will be dependent upon the speed of your machine, available RAM and how up to date your operating system currently is at the time you apply the service pack. The general consensus on the time it takes to install the service pack is one hour or more.

On my machine, which was completely up to date at the time of installing SP1, the upgrade took approximately 35 minutes. On another machine, which I had just installed Windows 7 on and which did not have any updates at all, the upgrade time was in excess of 75 minutes. It is, therefore, wise to ensure that you allow plenty of time to enable the upgrade to complete.

If you have downloaded the full ISO version of Windows 7 Service pack one and burnt it to disk then, on inserting the DVD into your DVD Rom you will see an auto play option to run the setup.exe file (fig: 53-1).

Where can I download an ISO copy of Windows Service Pack 1

You can download a copy of the Windows Service Pack 1 update ISO from the Official Microsoft Download Site

Your system will be checked first to see that it is a valid copy of Windows 7 using the Windows Genuine Advantage application. Once validation has been completed the download button will appear next to each of the available download applications. The ISO file you need to download is 7601.17514.101119-1850_Update_Sp_Wave1-GRMSP1.1_DVD.iso

Can I Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 to my Windows 7 DVD?

If you have a copy of Windows 7 on DVD you can easily slipstream Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to the DVD. To do this follow the instruction at this link 45. Slipstream Windows Service Pack

For this tutorial we will assume that you are installing from a DVD.

Insert the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 DVD into your DVD drive. When the AutoPlay screen appears, Click the Run Setup.exe option.

Fig: 53-1 The Auto play screen
The User Account Control screen will now appear. Click Yes to continue.

Fig: 53-2 Click the Yes button on the User Account Control screen
When the Install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 screen appears, Click the Next button. Incidentally, if you are installing the service pack via Windows update this will be the first screen you will see. You will not see the screens illustrated in Fig: 53-1 and 53-2.

Fig: 53-3 Install Windows 7 Service Pack screen
Windows will now start to prepare your computer for upgrading to Service Pack 1.

Fig: 53-4 Windows is preparing your computer
Before proceeding make sure you save any work you are currently engaged in, close all open programs and then, to begin the install, Click the Install button.

Fig: 53-5 Click the Install button to start the update operation
The first thing Windows will now do is create a system restore point. After the system restore point has been created windows will begin installing the service pack.

Fig: 53-6 Windows will create a system restore point before installing the service pack
A progress bar will show you how the installation is progressing. When the progress bar reaches the point approximately between the x64 (or x32) and the .cab you will find that the progress bar seems to be at a standstill for quite a considerable length of time. This is normal, so do not worry.

Fig: 53-7 The progress indicator lets you know how the upgrade is progressing
Once the service pack has been installed your computer will automatically restart.

Fig: 53-8 After install, Windows will auto restart.
While shutting down Windows will start configuring the Windows Service Pack. Do Not turn your computer off during this procedure. When the progress indicator reaches 30% your computer will restart.

Fig: 53-9 Windows begins configuring the Service Pack
As Windows restarts the Starting Windows screen appears.

Fig: 53-10 Configuring the Service Pack
Windows now continues to configure. Again, Do Not turn your computer off during this configuring procedure.

Fig: 53-11 Starting Windows
The service pack installation has completed.

Fig: 53-12 Configuration has now reach 100% and has now completed
After Windows has completed the configuration of the Service Pack the Windows Log on screen (assuming you have it enabled) will appear. If you have set your computer so that you do not have to log on then this screen will not appear.

Fig: 53-13 The Windows Log On Screen
Finally your desktop will appear and then you will see the Windows 7 Service Pack is now installed notification screen. Service Pack 1 has now been successfully installed.

Fig: 53-14 Windows 7 Service Pack is now installed