Microsoft Releases Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 to OEM Partners

Microsoft announces the RTM of Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. The public release is February 22.

Today, Microsoft released Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 to its OEM partners and announced that it will be available to customers on February 22.

As part of Microsoft’s broader desktop virtualization strategy, two new virtualization capabilities are now enabled in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1: RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory. Both features provide customers easy to use solutions that drive efficiencies and build upon the virtualization functionality already in the Windows Server operating system.

From a Windows 7 perspective, SP1 includes minor updates including some made previously available through Windows Update.

Separately, and mostly unrelated:

Microsoft also has some updates regarding Windows 7 momentum and new technologies in development designed for customers to get the most out of their Windows 7 experience. This includes:

Windows Thin PC (WinTPC): Microsoft is announcing an upcoming software assurance benefit called Windows Thin PC (WinTPC), which is a smaller footprint, locked down version of Windows 7, designed to allow customers to repurpose their existing PCs as thin clients.

Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM): IT pros gave Microsoft feedback that they needed an easier way to manage BitLocker, the security feature included in Windows 7. In response, the company is in the process of developing MBAM, which will help customers manage and provision BitLocker. The beta is expected to be available in March.