Uninstalling Windows 7 And Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta | Do's And Dont's

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Beta (SP1 Beta) contains many updates to improve Windows 7. But if you notice that a hardware device or an installed program has a problem after installing the service pack, or if you just want to remove the service pack from the computer, follow any of the procedures below.

Suggested Method For Removing Windows 7 SP1 BETA

To uninstall using Programs and Features

The easiest way to uninstall SP1 Beta is using Programs and Features. If you've used the Disk Cleanup Wizard since you've installed SP1 Beta, the backup files needed to uninstall the service pack might have been removed from your computer. If that's the case, then use System Restore to uninstall the service pack.

1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, click Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Programs and Features.
2. Click View installed updates.
3. Click Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB 976932), and then click Uninstall.

If you don't see Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB 976932) in the list of installed updates, or if the uninstall option is disabled, use System Restore to uninstall the service pack.

To uninstall using the Command Prompt

If you've used the Disk Cleanup Wizard since you've installed SP1 Beta, the backup files needed to uninstall the service pack might have been removed from your computer. If that's the case, then use System Restore to uninstall the service pack.

1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button.
2. In the search box, type command prompt.
3. In the list of results, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
4. Type the following: wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:976932
5. Press Enter.

To uninstall using System Restore

System Restore will remove any programs and revert any system changes that have been made since you installed the service pack. System Restore will not affect any personal files.

1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button. In the search box, type System Restore, and then, in the list of results, click System Restore.
2. Click Next.
3. Choose a restore point that matches the installation date for the service pack. The restore point will be labelled either Install: Windows Update or Install: Windows 7 Service Pack 1.
4. Verify the restore point, and then click Finish.

WARNING! Please remember that if you have the Service Pack 1 Beta installed on Windows 7/Server 2008 R2, that you will be Required to uninstall the SP1 Beta before you can install the Final (RTM) version of SP1 when it is released.

Do Not Delete Installed Files Manually Or Using Any Command:

There are some recent Blog posts that describe a command that will completely remove all of the uninstall information for the Service Pack 1 Beta to free up some disk space. Some of these blog posts do not go far enough when describing the consequences of using this procedure.

Just to be perfectly clear, if you use that command to remove the SP1 Beta Uninstall information, you will be required to completely reinstall Windows 7 or Server 2008 R2, or use a complete System Image Backup, created prior to installing the SP1 Beta, before you can install the Final (RTM) version. Please consider this information carefully before using any other method or command that is not mentioned here in this post.