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Has it been that long already? Windows 7 SP1 was released almost two years ago. As a result of that release, Windows 7 RTM (with no service pack) will no longer be supported as of April 9th, 2013, following the standard Windows support lifecycle specifying that support ends 24 months after the release of a new service pack.
Rest assured that Windows 7 will continue to be fully supported for a long time, with mainstream support continuing until January 13, 2015, and extended support continuing until January 14, 2020. With that said, let’s answer some questions.
What is a Service Pack? – A Service Pack 1 (SP) is an update that addresses customer and partner feedback. SP1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2 is a recommended collection of updates and improvements to Windows that are combined into a single installable update.
How long will Windows 7 Professional and Enterprise be supported? - Windows 7 with supported service packs, mainstream support will continue until 1/13/2015, and with extended support for Windows 7 Enterprise and Professional until 1/14/2020.
When does support for Service Pack 1 expire? - Support ends 24 months after the next service pack releases or at the end of the product's support lifecycle, whichever comes first. For more information, please see the service pack policy here .
Where do I get Service Pack 1 for Windows 7? – Service Pack 1 can be downloaded here. The supporting documentation is here and Step By Step instillation instructions can be found here.
What is the difference between mainstream support and extended support?- The chart below covers the differences between Mainstream Support and Extended Support?
Besides being in the support cycle, are there other reasons to upgrade to Windows 7 SP 1? -Windows 7 SP1 can help make your computer safer and more reliable. Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 provides a comprehensive set of innovations for enterprise-class virtualization. This includes new virtualization capabilities with Dynamic Memory and Microsoft RemoteFX. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will help you:
Need more information? Visit http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/ and to learn how to Explore, Plan, Deliver, Operate and Support Windows 7 click here or for Windows 8, click here.
It is unclear to me if Windows 7 PRE-SP1 machines will still receive security patches after April 9. Extended support shows that security patches are included, but on other websites I've seen it mention that there will be no more security patches unless SP1 is installed.
Can you please clarify?
Thank you.
Same as msdf,
I want to know about support of Windows 7 RTM / Windows 2008 R2 RTM - that's means non SP1 -, after April 9 2013.
The short answer is no.. Here is the wording from the support site- support.microsoft.com/.../default.aspx
The site above states- "Mainstream Support requires that the product’s supported service pack level be installed to continue to receive and install security updates." It also says""Security updates released with bulletins from the Microsoft Security Response Center will be reviewed and built for the supported service packs only. Daylight Savings Time and Time Zone updates are built for fully supported service packs only."
It's a shame we still are at Sp1 for windows 7. It was intended mainly to fix the buggy utilities that came along with the RTM release. Little or no improvement for the OS itself. That is not the proper way to mantain a professional OS. XP received 3 service packs. I will be happy if windows 7 will receive the much awaited Sp2, but it seems that Microsoft cancelled it.
Buy Windows 8 Now?? Seriously - all the IT professionals I know tried 8 then just formatted their machines to go back to 7. The attempted blend of desktop and tablet is crap.
The only thing worse than Win 8 is Microsoft's lack of care for its developer community.