Ready or not Windows 7 RTM support ends on April 2013 – Time to install Service Pack 1

Windows 7 logo medium

Following the traditional product lifecycle and after nearly four years, Microsoft is about to end support of Windows 7 RTM (Release To Manufacture), the version of the operating system with no service pack on April 9, 2013. This essentially means that now is the right time to install Service Pack 1.

Windows 7 with SP1 will continue to have support until January 2015 following its Mainstream Support and until January 2020 for the paid Extended Support.

If you are unfamiliar what is included on the Mainstream and Extended Support the chart below will detail the difference between the two:

Microsoft mainstream vs extended support

The Service Pack 1 (SP1) update will continue to have support for 24 months after the release of a successor service pack or at the end of the product lifecycle “whichever comes first.”

Windows 7 lifecycle chart

Download Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 RT Service Pack 1 (KB976932) from the Microsoft Download Center here.

If you need assistance installing Service Pack 1 in Windows 7, Microsoft has a well-detailed guide on how to do this.

Source Windows Blog

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.

Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.

Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.

You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].