On a regular basis, Microsoft releases security patches, fixes or enhancements for their various operating systems. Less frequently, these changes are bundled together and released as a single service pack (SP).

Up until recently, it was generally accepted that SP1 for Windows 7, Microsoft’s latest operating system would not be released for some 24 months. However, TechARP.com, which in the past has been successful in determining XP and Vista SP release schedules has come across information indicating that the release date of Windows 7 SP1 will be advanced to Q4 of this year.

As to why Microsoft may have had a change of heart lies in the fact that the Redmond company needs to address an indeterminate number of “serious” performance bugs within Windows 7. Advancing the SP1 date to this year would put its release date in line with Vista and XP. XP SP1 was seen some 10 months after the XP launch in October 2001 while Vista SP1 came about 1 year after the Vista launch.

Windows 7 has seen strong sales reaching the milestone of 90 million licenses sold but the rumor of a Windows 7 SP1 later this year might get both enterprise customers and the average Joe to hold off temporarily in their purchase until they can get a copy of Windows 7 with SP1.

Via: The Inquirer