Microsoft ships Windows 7 SP1 today

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 will hit the download servers starting today, according to Microsoft. The software giant released the final release of Windows 7 SP1 to OEM partners earlier on February 9, followed by MSDN customers, Technet subscribers and volume licensing customers on February 16.

The first service pack for Windows 7, Microsoft’s fastest selling operating system, includes updates that were previously available through Windows Update. It also features client-side support for RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory, which are two new virtualization features enabled in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.

Those expecting bells and whistles in Windows 7 SP1 would be disappointed. This service pack is largely an update to patch your Windows 7 PC with all bug fixes delivered since the OS made its debut in October 2009.

The launch of Windows 7 SP1 this year could help to fuel adoption of the OS among enterprises, which will typically wait for kinks to be ironed out in any new software before jumping on the bandwagon.

As pointed out by analyst company Gartner, mainstream adoption of Windows 7 by enterprise customers will not start until 2011, as it usually takes 12 to 18 months after new OS launch for the companies to prepare for OS deployment and ensure ISV support.

On January 27, Microsoft announced record revenues of US$19.95 billion for the second quarter that ended December 31, 2010. This included US$1.71 billion of deferred revenue from the Windows 7 Upgrade Option program and sales of Windows 7 prior to general availability in October 2009.

Microsoft has sold over 300 million Windows 7 licenses, and Windows 7 is now running on over 20 percent of Internet-connected PCs.