Microsoft releases fix for possible Windows 7 updates and SP1 installation failure

When the first Service Pack of Windows 7 finally becomes available to the general public, Microsoft wants to make sure that the operating system will play nice with the forthcoming service pack as well as all future service packs and updates the company releases.

According to Microsoft, there is an inconsistency in the Windows servicing store which may prevent the successful installation of future updates, service packs, and even software. It will be terrible for users and embarrassing for Microsoft if this “inconsistency” prevented them from installing the Service Pack. To address and resolve any issues the Windows servicing store might generate at the wrong moment, Microsoft has updated the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7.

System resources, such as file data, registry data, and even in-memory data, can develop inconsistencies during the lifetime of the operating system. These inconsistencies might be caused by various hardware failures or might be caused by software issues. In some cases, these inconsistencies can affect the Windows servicing store, and they can cause software updates not to work. The System Update Readiness Tool tries to resolve these inconsistencies.

After you download the System Update Readiness Tool, it runs a onetime scan for inconsistencies that might prevent future servicing operations. This scan typically takes less than 15 minutes to run. However, the tool might take significantly longer on some computers.
Windows 7 customers can get either the 32-bit or the 64-bit version of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 from Microsoft Download Center. This tools is also offered automatically through Windows Update.