Should you install Windows 7 Service Pack 1?
Last week, Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. I’ve been monitoring the release in online forums and via individual reports since then. I’ve also talked, unofficially, with some people who have access to Microsoft’s customer support database.
At that time, I noted that this “looks like a successful rollout.” Everything I’ve seen since then suggests that there are no widespread issues with Service Pack 1. Microsoft representatives who have looked into the release have also confirmed for me that they are not seeing any indication of significant issues with the update.
That doesn’t mean 100% of installations will be trouble-free. SP1 doesn’t add any new features, but it is a major update. Given the complexity of the PC ecosystem, it’s inevitable that there will be some hiccups in the process. For example, one reader pointed me to this lengthy thread on Microsoft’s TechNet forums, which highlights a troublesome issue that arises when all language packs are installed on Windows 7 Ultimate or Enterprise. If that describes your setup, I strongly recommend reading this thread before starting an SP1 update.
