Leaked "Official" Windows 7 Service Pack 1

It has been reported at several sites that the final Release to Manufacture (RTM) bits of both Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 are in the wild.  A popular support forum posted that they have the SP available for download, stating that they:

"can confirm, with accuracy, that this is the final, official, digitally signed version of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 which has been scheduled for imminent release to manufacturers (RTM), but has not yet appeared on Windows Update."

Whether due to the popularity of people anxious to be among the first to get the final SP release or other issues, the site appear has been having stability problems, with regular outages.  Even when the site has loaded the past couple of days, it has taken a long time and often only partially loads.

Edit Note:  I have just discovered that yet another popular site has the information posted.  This download link hosted on another P2P site.  My advice:  Don't do it!  Wait for the release by Microsoft to Windows Update.

Warnings:

• First and foremost, it is never recommended to download Microsoft software from any site other than directly from Microsoft.
  

• Second, the SP download being offered by the aforementioned site (no, I will not provide a link to the site) is being provided via uTorrent, a popular P2P (peer to peer) program. 
  
  With P2P file sharing, what means do you have of identifying or authenticating the source of the download? In addition, a file can be distributed among many hosts, and peers will provide for download the sections that they have already downloaded. This results in the distinct possibility of a distribution method in which malicious bits are mixed with with good files.

• Third, a Service Pack is essentially a collection of security and software fixes and enhancements for the operating system. Before a Service Pack is offered via Windows Update, your computer will be checked for missing prerequisites.  Installing the SP without the necessary prerequisites can result in a seriously damaged operating system, requiring a complete reinstall.

Why anyone would want to jeopardize the security and stability of their computer by installing software from an unauthorized source is beyond me.  A non-Microsoft site merely saying the download is "Digitally Signed by Microsoft Corporation" does not make it so nor does it mean the download is safe.

Be smart. Wait for the official release from Microsoft on Windows Update.


Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, Security, Information, Service Pack, SP1, Windows 7,

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