Windows 7 SP1 beta leaks out, screenshots ensue
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 7th 2010 1:44PM
posted April 7th 2010 1:44PM
Microsoft's already let out word that it's working on Windows 7 Service Pack 1, but it looks like the OS' first big update has now leaked out slightly ahead of schedule -- or a recent build of it, anyway. As expected there aren't any significant changes that are immediately apparent -- the biggest is the added RemoteFX functionality when paired with Windows Server -- but the install process is apparently at least much faster than it was for service packs on Windows Vista. Still no word on a proper release date from Microsoft just yet, but you can now check out a few more screenshots at the source link below.
This is relevant to my interests.
@Mister Warmth
Indeed!
@eko2
I think it's telling that SP1 doesn't address any egregious flaws, security issues, or efficiency problems in the OS. Honestly, Windows 7 has been a true joy to use, and even though I'm still happy to have an Apple desktop, I love Windows 7 on my notebooks.
@Mister Warmth
YES! Time to fire up that good 'ol friend of mine, Bittorrent.
@abedinthehouse have you tried rapidshare or megaupload? the speed is magical. (despite their unfortunate and egregious costs...)
@eko2
You think he has the money for a $5 subscription?
@eko2 not really the same thing at all
@suicidebob Ouch.
@Mr Oos
Hey, me too. I was thinking when I saw this post what will they improve? as recent win7 adopter I'm genuinely surprised how good win7 performs, even on netbook machine.
@N900
I mean, if he thinks W7 is so good, he should maybe buy it
@Mr Oos
Yep. Windows 7 for the desktop, The Iphone and Ipad for goin mobile, and Gmail for email. Oh yeah, and Engadget for tech news.
Can't beat it
@Ipadsucks
I have like 7 gigs of storage and it loads instantly for me. Plus seamless integration with my android phone. Check your internet connection or something man.
Oh and you can use gmail's storage to upload files with a firefox extension, or just use google docs.
@Ipadsucks
Ten minutes? Wow, seriously, check your internet connection. Should be instant. It wouldn't be so popular if it took ten minutes for everyone.
There, there calm
down. It's only the internet, not life or death. Unless your 500 pounds and can't leave your bedroom, which means you're dying and your PC is your only friend...in that case go nuts..
@suicidebob
Who's to say he hasn't brought a copy. SP1 is not available for regular download yet. The only way to get your hands on it is via torrents.
@suicidebob W7 really is fantastic.
I like sex too though, doesn't mean I'm willing to pay for it.
@Mr Oos
Windows 7 is a dream on netbooks too, couldn't be happier with it.
Will this make my netbook not run like molasses on a winter day?
@CRA1G
If you netbook is "running like molasses on a winter day," clearly there are some user issues to work out before turning to Service Packs.
Windows 7 runs fine for me on a 6 year old P4 dell desktop and I've used it on a variety of netbooks with zero performance problems.
As long as you don't thrash it like it's a dual Xenon workstation, it runs very smooth.
@CRA1G
You use a netbook, what did you expect?
@CRA1G and @Prevactor
When I ran the Windows 7 Ult RC on my HP Mini (Atom n270, 2gb Ram), it performed fine. Gotta be something else going on there
@CRA1G I have my trusty old 1008HE, works pretty well on Windows 7 Ultimate.
@CRA1G Um, why did this get downranked? My netbook really is slow...much slower than I expected it would be (and slower than it probably would be if it was running XP).
@CRA1G Must be your unit, or maybe RAM troubles, I don't know. There's a good amount of things that could attribute to your netbook slowing down. If you list some, we could give 'ya some pointers or something.
@N900 He probably has an Acer Aspire...
My EEE 1000HE runs like a dream with Win7 :)
@N900 OK, it's a Vaio X w/ 2GB of RAM, a 2 GHz Atom processor, and a 128GB SSD. Runs 32-bit Win7 Home Prem. Takes forever to launch anything, Flash runs poorly, and Win7 takes up to a minute to associate with a Wi-Fi network (whereas XP on my way old notebook took only 5-10 seconds). Ideas? Thanks.
@CRA1G I'm running win7 on a dell mini 9 and it's fine. The only thing that doesn't work well is streaming video, and that's the hardware, not the OS. But really, I never expected a $299 netbook to be fast, but windows 7 is fine. You want better performance, I'd suggest the Ubuntu netbook remix http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download-netbook
@dan828 Gotta run Win7...requirement of work. I bought this netbook mostly because of its size, but also because I figured it'd be a better performer than the typical 1.6GHz, 1GB of RAM netbook and have so far been disappointed in its speed. Size and weight are still delightful, but using it can be an exercise in waiting.
@CRA1G Have you done a clean install on that Vaio? Sony computers are notorious for coming loaded down with "bloatware".
Suggestion - if you bought it retail with 7 on it - reinstall 7 from scratch with a formatted HDD. Another option is to go through and remove as many programs as possible that you did not install yourself. Ctrl+Alt+Del (or Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and see how many processes are running (click "show all processes from all users). On a netbook you should be below 45-50 on a clean reboot with nothing running. msconfig startup tweaks and uninstalling the bundled sony bloatware will get you far, but a fresh OS install from scratch that doesnt include that bloatware will get you farther :)
@Phenom Nope, haven't done a clean install. Since this is a work machine, I have limited authority to set it up as I see fit. I'm starting to suspect that McAfee and a few other required sys mgt tools they installed are bogging it down, which, if true, would make any netbook a poor choice for me. Thanks for the suggestions.
@CRA1G
I didn't know that 2ghz atom processors existed?
@CRA1G If it's a bloatware problem, then Phenom's right; it's probably best to clean install. To be honest, my HE also came with bloatware, and the version I'm running is a clean install. I was trying to see if the problem with your X is internal, but it's definetly the crap loaded on your device http://en.akihabaranews.com/31467/review/review-sony-vaio-x-series%E2%80%A6-god-this-notebook-is-sexy
"Unfortunately, and despite our best of our efforts to remind Sony as well as other manufacturers, the Vaio X is loaded with an impressive amount of useless software and other crapewares that not only turns you mad but also turns any computer into a piece of junk not capable to boot or run smoothly.
Since Sony’s greed is stronger than its customers’ happiness (Sony receives incentives to install each one of these additional crapeware), you will have no other choice but to format your Vaio X SSD and reinstall Windows 7 from the Scratch."
Dunno how you're gonna get the Admin to let you do this but this is what's needed.
@ScienceProUSAcom Xenon powers computers now? Wow, inert gases just got a whole lot more attractive.
@CRA1G
Stay off porn sites that tell you to install codecs.
@CRA1G
McAfee is complete garbage. If its a work computer you're just screwed. We use it here and it's absolutely terrible. My previous employer used Symantec Corporate for AV. Much better. I bet your firewall is trying to block every single program including itself.
@CRA1G
My first guess would be Sony crapware.
@CRA1G My little Dell Mini 9 runs like a champ on W7. At least no different than XP. =)
@kiden The Z550.
@graey Run a current through those inert gases and they get REALLY attractive.
@all
Microsoft Security Essentials
If you don't use it, you should.
I've used the rest, believe me, don't even bother anymore. MSE is the windows 7 of antivirus, and it's free. and not free like other antivirus where you have to get an activation code every year, but free free.
The OS has done a good job being really stable. I know the SP will add more stability and slight changes but Windows 7 has been basically perfect.
@AlienSix
"Windows 7: Basically Perfect." Now that is a good line.
@ScienceProUSAcom Better than, "Windows 7: Better than Vista!".
Still not quite appealing enough for me, though.
@AlienSix I agree. I have no complaints about 7. It makes me wonder what might be so special about the SP that I can't get from Automatic Updates.
@jimlivingston
For one, it is rolling all those updates you've been downloading into one big patch. So, for people with fresh installs they'll go quicker. I remember reading that there were supposed to be two newish features, but they were things most users wouldn't care about.
@AlienSix
I wish I could say the same. I'm very please with Windows 7, but I'm still having a problem months after installation that I just can't seem to nail.
Three or four times a week the PC will lock up a few minutes after booting into the OS. There are times when I have to boot 3 times to eliminate the freeze. I'm almost certain it's not a hardware issue, as the thing would likely result in random freezes. However, it only occurs a minute or two after boot.
If I don't log in, it'll lock up at the login window. If I do log in, it'll lock up a minute or so into my session. My guess is that there's a conflict between 2 or more services during startup, and they're getting into a deadlock. Unfortunately, there's nothing in the event logs other than the indication that there was an unintended shutdown. Sure, after I recycled the PC.
I tried repairing the OS, but that was a headache. Even though I installed the OS without a hitch, the re-install always results in a lockup somewhere during the installation process. One time it will be during the extraction, and another time it'll be when it's completely the cleanup. After ~10 tries, I gave up. The copy of the OS was purchased directly from the MS Store, so I know it's a valid copy.
@Spiny Norman
Since you have the DVD try a clean install, that should help things.
@AlienSix Unfortunetly the vast majority of the changes for the SP1 are going to be in Windows Server 2008 R2. Sure Win7 will get a little work, but nothing like what the server version is getting in terms of new functionality.
@kiden
I tried that, too, but a clean install didn't work either. It had the same results as a repair job. The install hung at random points numerous times.
@Spiny Norman Honestly, that sounds like a hardware issue. Or a driver issue. Most of the time it's not a driver issue because Win7 finds all of the right drivers. If you have some obscure custom hardware or are trying to use it on very old hardware, it might be a driver issue. But these days, hard locks are usually hardware problems. I would recommend one of those boot disks like memtest86+, or the built in windows memory diagnostic. After that, I would recommend installing Windows 7 fresh, updating through Windows update until fully up to date and hoping for the best.