Install Windows 7 SP1?

If your are one of those PC users who owns a newer desktop/laptop and are currently using Windows 7 as your operating system, you are now faced with a decision concerning Service Pack 1: when should I install it. First off, there is no urgency to install SP1 if you have been faithful in regularly installing the security updates that come out monthly. Most of SP1 is all of those previous updates rolled up into one big “fix all”. Windows 7 has been one of Microsoft’s most stable platforms so there has been no urgency to quickly deploy a service pack to fix a number of frustrating issues. My general rule is to wait a couple months until some of the kinks in SP1 have been discovered and repaired. No hurry to be one of those first few test cases where the service pack installation results in a non bootable unit. If you choose to install it, then I would suggest the following: 1. create a restore point 2. plug in your laptop (you will be warned about it later anyway) 3. do not run other applications while doing the installation 4. be patient after your first reboot following the installation, it takes longer for all those system files to get replaced.