The Windows 7 SP1 Beta has been leaked for a while, and Windows 7 SP1 Beta has also been officially released by Microsoft for public download. Chances are, the beta version of SP1 may contain bugs or vulnerabilities to the operating system as it’s just a early preview release, and early adopters may have to uninstall the Windows 7 SP1 Beta to fix the issue.

In addition, Microsoft does not provide direct upgrade path from SP1 Beta to SP1 RTM. Any Windows 7 system which is installed with SP1 Beta will have to be uninstalled first prior to installation of final build of SP1. If the beta builds of SP1 cannot be uninstalled, user has to do a clean install of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Microsoft provides a guide on how to uninstall and remove Windows 7 SP1 Beta. One main important note who anyone who intends to install SP1 Beta is that backup files are created to facilitate the uninstallation of SP1 Beta. 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 the only option to remove SP1 Beta is to use System Restore to uninstall the service pack, which is the least undesirable option.

Tip: The uninstall guide also applies to Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta.

How to Uninstall Windows 7 SP1 Beta

Uninstall using Programs and Features

  1. Click 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.

Uninstall using the Command Prompt

  1. Click 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. 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.

Uninstall using System Restore

Note: 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 . 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 labeled either Install: Windows Update or Install: Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

  4. Verify the restore point, and then click Finish.