Windows 7 Service Pack 1 auto-install starts tomorrow

Microsoft today said it will start automatically pushing Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to customers as a last-ditch move before it drops the original 2009 edition of Windows 7 from support next month.

Windows 7 RTM -- the latter stands for "release to manufacturing," Microsoft-speak for a launch edition -- will be retired from support, including security updates, after April 9, next month's regularly-scheduled Patch Tuesday.

Although Microsoft has made Windows 7 SP1 available via Automatic Updates -- Windows' default consumer update service -- for more than two years, customers were required to approve the new version before it installed.

As of tomorrow, any Windows RTM-powered consumer PC with Automatic Updates enabled will receive Windows 7 SP1, said Microsoft in a Monday blog.