Windows 7 RTM Updates Upgrade OS Kernel Build Version to 7600.16399 at win7_gdr

[javajolt]

If you think that Windows 7 RTM should be a stable release, and once Windows 7 been released to manufacturing at build 7600.16385, it’s ripe for prime time or product use, you may want to think again. Microsoft will release several update packages or hotfixes through Windows Update, which will upgrade and update Windows 7 RTM build string on BuildLab from 7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255 to 7600.win7_gdr.090722-1835 and BuildLabEx from 7600.16385.x86fre.win7_rtm.090713-1255 or 7600.16385.x64fre.win7_rtm.090713-1255 to 7600.16399.x86fre.win7_gdr.090722-1835 or 7600.16399.x64fre.win7_gdr.090722-1835



Microsoft has released 8 important update packages for Windows 7 RTM Build 7600.18365.090713-1255 in July that updates various components of Windows 7 RTM to even newer versions. These update packages, leaked to Internet by Russian who also leaked Windows 7 RTM retail x86 and x64 ISO and Windows 7 RTM OEM x86 and x64 ISO, have no official description by Microsoft yet. However, some ideas about what each update does can be retrieved by taking a peek into the content of CAB files.

•KB123334 (Windows6.1-KB123334-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB123334-x64.msu)
Microsoft-Windows-IEInstal assembly that updates IEInstal.exe in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\ folder to version 8.0.7600.16399 or 8.0.7600.20495.

•KB123456 (Windows6.1-KB123456-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB123456-x64.msu)
Microsoft-Windows-notepad revision distribution that updates Notepad.exe to 6.1.7600.16399 or 6.1.7600.20495.

•KB674103 (Windows6.1-KB674103-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB674103-x64.msu)
A update that upgrades Win32k, User32, TCP/IP Binaries (tcpip.sys), SxS, NDIS (ndis.sys), GDI32 and Common Controls components to version 6.1.7600.14000 or 6.1.7600.20496.

•KB675605 (Windows6.1-KB675605-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB675605-x64.msu)
A GDR update that upgrades Windows 7 OS Kernel, HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer), BootEnvironment Core BootManagerPCAT components to 6.1.7600.16399 or 6.1.7600.20495. This update package is responsible for changing the BuildLabEx string to 7600.16399.x86fre.win7_gdr.090722-1835 or 7600.16399.x64fre.win7_gdr.090722-1835 and changing win7_rtm in the BuildLab string to win7_gdr.

•KB972636 (Windows6.1-KB972636-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB972636-x64.msu)
IE compatibility update with new version of 6.1.7600.14000 or 6.1.7600.20497.

•KB973751 (Windows6.1-KB973751-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB973751-x64.msu)
Update to Windows 7 Image Based Setup-Media and Setup Navigation Wizard Framework to version 6.1.7600.20497.

•KB974039 (Windows6.1-KB974039-v2-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB974039-v2-x64.msu)
Update to Windows Search Engine to version 7.0.7600.16401 or 7.0.7600.20497.

•KB974138 (Windows6.1-KB974138-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB974138-x64.msu)
Update to Windows GI and Font Embedding components to version 6.1.7600.16402 or 6.1.7600.20498

Note that the system will a GDR or LDR minor revision number of 1xxxx is the update is installed as GDR (default), or 2xxxx if it’s installed as LDR or QFE hotfix, which should not applied to most users. GDR (General Distribution Release) and LDR (Limited Distribution Release), which also known as QFE (Quick Fix Engineering) are simply two different maintenance branches maintained at same patch level by Microsoft, although LDR branch is cumulative of all previous patches available. GDR is normally distributed via Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center to improve user experience, and contains software updates that address widespread critical issues, such as security vulnerabilities, and that are broadly released. The fact that Microsoft adds GDR into build string of OS kerner (ntoskrnl.exe) of Windows 7 RTM may signifies that the reliability and stability can still be improved considerably.

However, do note that Windows 7 RTM official build is still maintain as 7600.16385, as BuildLab and BuildLabEx is reflected change to OS kernel. Other components that are not been updated, such as IE8 and Windows 7 Software Licensing Manager (SLMgr) will still report itself as build 7600.16385.



It’s interesting to see that bug fixes, patches and updates are available so early after official RTM of Windows 7, and Windows 7 is not even been officially make available through any distribution channels yet. These updates may also been slipstreamed directly by OEM computer manufacturers into factory-installed PCs and branded OEM DVDs when computer with Windows 7 preinstalled are shipped. It looks like Windows 7 SP1 (Service Pack 1) should come soon rather than later.

Note: BuildLab and BuildLabEx can be checked at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion registry branch.

Users who are interested in downloading and installing these updates can by using the download links below.

Windows 7 Updates (32-bit x86 MSU packages): Win7Updates_x86.zip  http://depositfiles.com/en/files/5aouf6ysl

Windows 7 Updates (64-bit x64 MSU packages): Win7Updates_x64.zip  http://depositfiles.com/en/files/nsz7n3kpi

Windows 7 Updates (All 32-bit and 64-bit MSU packages): Win7Updates.zip  http://depositfiles.com/en/files/9duu0qctm

[Jake]

So I'm slightly confused, are these packages to be released with SP1 or are they going to be added into the final iso?  I'm just wondering if they're going to be needed or not for my initial install when my disk arrives

[FDamiani]

Great! So as per your detailed information, your recommendation now, is to install the new updates? 

[javajolt]

Personally I do not advocate installing these updates, although there appears to be nothing in them that would cause to your system.

[Snuffy]

•KB972636 (Windows6.1-KB972636-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB972636-x64.msu)
IE compatibility update with new version of 6.1.7600.14000 or 6.1.7600.20497.

was part of the Autoupdates on my system 8-07-09 via MUv4.