The original URL for this blog post was:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jjameson/archive/2011/03/11/before-you-install-windows-7-service-pack-1.aspx
Since I no longer work for Microsoft, I have copied it here in case that blog ever goes away.
Microsoft has done a rather poor job of preserving functional links throughout the years, but you might still be able to view the original post in the Random Musings of Jeremy Jameson - Blog Archive.
…make darn sure you have already installed the Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 (if you want to use them, of course).
Otherwise, like me, you’ll likely resort to nuking your desktop and starting over.
Earlier this week, I posted about how I rebuilt my Windows 7 desktop while installing a new solid-state drive (SSD). Unfortunately, I later discovered that if you install Windows 7 SP1 before installing the current RSAT package, then you’re essentially screwed.
If you attempt to install the current RSAT release after installing Windows 7 SP1, then you’ll be greeted with a not-so-friendly message that the update not applicable to your computer.
Of course, this is clearly documented on the download page:
…
**Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 can be installed ONLY on computers that are running the Enterprise, Professional, or Ultimate editions of Windows 7. This software CANNOT BE INSTALLED on computers that are running Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1). To run Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 on a computer on which you want to run Windows 7 with SP1, first install Remote Server Administration Tools, and then upgrade to Service Pack 1.**
…
This software is not supported on computers that are running Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1). If your computer is running Windows 7 with SP1, and you try to install Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7, the following error message is displayed: “The update is not applicable to your computer.” This limitation is by design, and is documented in the Windows 7 with SP1 Deployment Guide.
Then again, if you downloaded RSAT for Windows 7 a long time ago (like I did back in 2009), then you probably missed this announcement. Apparently I really should have read the Windows 7 SP1 Deployment Guide before rebuilding my desktop. Ah…so much to read, so little time.
While researching the issue, I noticed that somebody mentioned you can uninstall SP1, install RSAT for Windows 7, and then re-install SP1. However, that didn’t seem like the best idea in my mind. After all, since I rarely rebuild my desktop I figured I might as well “do it right” instead of resorting to some hack.
The updated RSAT package for Windows 7 SP1 should be available soon (“scheduled for release in Spring 2011”).
Mercy…why couldn’t this have sim-shipped with Windows 7 SP1?