Microsoft has reportedly begun distribution of the first service pack for Windows 7.

A posting to the company's Russian-language TechNet page indicates that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have begun to receive the first copies of the Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 builds.

Build-up for the release of Windows 7 SP1 began in the summer of 2010, when the company began to roll out beta versions of the package. In October, word leaked out that the company was preparing release candidate builds, indicating that the update was on target for a release in early 2011.

In addition to cumulative security and stability fixes, the SP1 package will add a number of new features into the Windows 7 operating system, particularly for enterprise users.

Full story: V3.co.uk