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Microsoft releases Office 2011 Service Pack 1
Office 2011 version 14.1 (Service Pack 1) is now available from Microsoft's website. As announced on April 6, the update includes a variety of improvements to the new Outlook for Mac, including built-in support for Apple's Sync Services which allows users to more easily synchronize Outlook data with other Mac OS X software (like iCal and BusyCal) and devices (like the iPhone and iPad) through iTunes. The update also includes the usual fixes for "critical issues" and patches a security vulnerability that could allow an attacker "to overwrite the contents of your computer's memory with malicious code." Microsoft offers more details about the software update on its official Office for Mac blog. Even if the update isn't showing in Office's AutoUpdate utility yet, you can download the 246 MB package here. [via MacUpdate]
Windows 7 SP1 (and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1) now available for public download
Microsoft told us to clear our pipes for a hefty download on the 22nd of February, and sure enough, the software giant is delivering. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 is now available for public consumption, with the company also confirming that 7601.17514.101119-1850 is the final RTM. We'd bother telling you more, but we know you've already dug into the source link in order to get your download a-hoppin'. Just make sure you uninstall any pre-releases of SP1 before doing the deed with this one, and if you're updating just a single PC, you're probably better off waiting for everything to flow through Windows Update. Your call, though. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 available for everyone on February 22nd
Get ready for it because the final release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) have just been handed off to Microsoft's OEM partners. What that means for you is that starting February 22nd you can download Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 from the Microsoft Download Center or via Windows Update. MSDN and TechNet subscribers will see the official updates a bit earlier on February 16th... about the same time they'll be released unofficially into the bitTorrent and usenet wilds.
Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 sees public beta release
We knew good and well it was coming, and here it is. Microsoft has today introduced the Release Candidate (RC) of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to the public, and for those unaware of how these software rollouts "work," the RC release generally signals that a final build is just about ready. As previously announced, the only new features added to the SP1 are the Windows Server 2008 R2-related virtualization technologies, Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX, and while Windows 7 SP1 will enable PCs to take advantage of these server-based features to provide a more scalable and richer VDI experience for end users, there are no additional new features specific to Windows 7. If that's cool with you, there's a source link (and a download) waiting for you just below. [Thanks, Logan]
Windows 7 SP1 public beta now ready for download
Slightly ahead of schedule, Microsoft has dished out Service Pack numero uno for Windows 7. The hot-selling OS has been a revelation since its release and it's therefore no surprise that this update pack does nothing remarkably new or important. It collates all of Microsoft's patches since launch into a neat little (well, not really, it's 1.2GB in size) package and throws in a few other hotfixes to boot. Microsoft treats its betas rather unceremoniously, however, so don't expect any support with this thing until it goes final -- which we're hearing might not be until early 2011. We'd say that's a long way out but it's not like Windows 7 isn't treating us well enough already. Hit the source to obtain the download, if you must. [Thanks, JagsLive]
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 public beta due next month
Before you start getting excited for something along the lines of Vista's famed SP1, you should know that the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 that Microsoft plans to release shortly is merely a combination of existing updates, outside of the new Remote Desktop to support new Windows Server 2008 SP1 features. Still, that's not exactly a bad thing: Windows 7 doesn't require same sort of service pack "rescue" Vista did, and Microsoft's hope is that a feature-stable, combined update could promote some enterprise holdouts to finally take the plunge. The public beta of SP1 will be released at the end of July, with the final version to presumably be released soon after.
Windows 7 SP1 beta leaks out, screenshots ensue
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.
Microsoft's Surface gets its first Service Pack, devs and yacht owners rejoice
Forget the future for just one second. Kicking off its TechEd conference last week, Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for its tabletop-inclined Surface. The update's mostly developer-centric -- not too surprising given its small customer base at present -- with one of the only bullet points that'll directly interest the end user being new calibration guides for setting up the system without needing an external display. No indication on if set up still requires a keyboard a mouse, but if that's a concern, keep your fingers crossed they find a way around that before you pony up the $13,000 to join Lazarra and Roker as an early adopter.
Vista SP1 riding the torrents, breaking Ballmer's heart
For those of you who simply can't wait one more second to get your hands on one of the more hyped updates in recent memory, Vista SP1, you're in luck. According to a report (and our BitTorrent client, chugging along in the background), the new service pack has been leaked, then promptly made available for your forbidden downloading pleasure. Apparently, the full install doesn't provide you with an upgrade option, so make sure you backup necessary files (like those pictures of Mom, apple pie, etc.). PC World offers a highly detailed report on how many seeders and / or leechers were available at the time its article was written, but we'll spare you. Suffice to say, it's there for the taking.
Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh available to the public
Just as Microsoft did last month with Vista SP1 release candidate, the latest build (dubbed SP1 RC Refresh) has been loosed from its privately held shackles and is now available for the public to descend upon. According to ZDNet, Redmond decided to make this iteration publicly available "in the interest of gaining additional tester feedback." Of note, you will likely be forced to install "two or three updates" before SP1 RC Refresh can be installed, but we know you're quite unconcerned with all the fine print. Nevertheless, that verbiage (and the download link) is waiting below.[Via ZDNet]
Microsoft beams out Vista SP1 to beta testers
Right on cue, Microsoft has made available the (long-awaited) Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista to a private group of beta testers. One lucky user actually goes on to describe the update and note a number of positive changes, some of which include a much snappier logon experience, a new option in the Disk Defragmenter "allowing you to choose which volumes you would like to defragment," improvements in responsiveness when resuming from Hibernation / Sleep modes, and interestingly enough, slightly improved battery life on a tested laptop. Furthermore, "select members of the community" are also getting to give five new "reliability packages" a whirl, which are all slated to be available to the public before SP1 is released en masse. Be sure and hit the read link for the full rundown.[Thanks, Dhanik M.]
