Windows 7 – Installing the Service Pack 1 Beta using a USB Flash drive
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only, it is strongly recommended that you do not install service pack 1 on the computer you use and depend on for every day use. Service Pack 1 is a beta and as such may contain defects and “will no longer operate after June 30, 2011. You must uninstall this beta software before that date."
Backup your hard drive: Create an image backup to an external USB hard drive so you are able to recover Windows 7 to its pre service pack 1 state should any problem occur either during or after the installation. You can use Windows 7’s Backup and Restore to create a “System Image” or a third part software application such as Ghost 15 or Acronis True Image Home 2010.
Then extract the .ISO contents to the same folder.
Copy the appropriate 32 or 64-Bit SP1 .exe file to the root of your USB drive. For Windows 7 32-Bit double click on the file named: windows6.1-KB976932-x86-INTL.exe For Windows 7 64-Bit double click on the file named: windows6.1-KB976932-X64-INTL.exe
Start the SP1 update: Double click on the x86 or X64 file you copied to the USB drive.
On a fully updated version of Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit as of 7/15/10, the update process took about 10 minutes and a reboot to complete. There is no significant increase in the time to install when using the flash drive.
Verify that SP1 is installed: If you check the ‘System’ information in the control panel you will now see: “Service Pack 1, v1.78” displayed.
What about all the previous updates you have installed: They are now longer listed in the Program and Features/Installed Updates list. Only three updates were displayed.
1) KB976932 – Service pack for Microsoft Windows Information about Service Pack 1 Beta for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976932
The most important information in this Knowledge Base article is: "SP1 Beta is time-limited software. You must uninstall this service pack beta software before you install the final version of the service pack. Also, this beta software will no longer operate after June 30, 2011. You must uninstall this beta software before that date."
2) KB976902 – Update for Microsoft Windows Black hole update as no information is posted on the internet by Microsoft at this time.
3) KB958488 – No information on this update is displayed in the Installed updates list. A search on Update KB958488 reveals that it relates to Shared Components for Microsoft .NET Framework on Windows 7 and on Windows Server 2008 R2. This update addresses a set of issues of the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1). If you have installed the SP1 Beta immediately after installing Windows 7 this update may not be installed.
What about the SP1 License: From reading the license one particular part indicates that Microsoft may be installing more stringent monitoring and control of what is and what is not a genuine product key. Could this be what the black hole update is all about.
1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, click Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Programs and Features.
2. Click View installed updates.
3. “Right click” on Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB 976932), and then click Uninstall. A reboot is required.
If you don't see Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB 976932) in the list of installed updates, or if the uninstall option is disabled, use System Restore to uninstall the service pack.
Note: If you've used the Disk Cleanup Wizard since you've installed SP1 Beta, the backup files needed to uninstall the service pack might have been removed from your computer. If that's the case, then use System Restore to uninstall the service pack.
The uninstall process takes about 30% less time to complete when compared to the install time.
What about all the previous updates you have installed: They are once again displayed in the Program and Features/Installed Updates list.
KB976902 (the black hole update) and KB958488 still remain installed. KB958488 can be uninstalled but Microsoft has blocked the removal of KB976902.
