Microsoft, of course, has yet to make public any details on the first major upgrade for its latest Windows client, let alone disclose the timetable, or the launch deadline. However, one third-party source, which so far has had no credibility problems, reveals that the Redmond company has been producing Windows 7 SP1 interim builds on a steady basis, albeit they are all used for dogfooding (internal testing).

Russian website Wzor indicates that Microsoft is currently up to Windows 7 SP1 Build 7601.16518.100302-1530, the last Build compiled in early March 2010 in the winmain_sp branch. At the same time, 7601.16502.100208-1500 is mentioned among the Builds compiled in February 2010, and now screenshots allegedly from the release have been leaked. (via GeekSmack)

Users will be able to view the screenshots included at the bottom of this article to get a taste of Windows 7 SP1 Build 7601.16502.100208-1500. However, even with the leaked screenshots, there is little actual information of SP1 or of what it will contain. However, the promise seems to be that users will get a chance to try Windows 7 SP1 Build 7601.16502.100208-1500 for themselves, but only illegally.

The source of the leaked screenshots noted that Build 7601.16502.100208-1500 had been slated to be leaked in the immediate future. So far, the bits are not available from illegal third-party sources, and certainly not form Microsoft. At the same time, the software giant isn’t really expected to offer early adopters Windows 7 SP1 for testing until the Beta development milestone. This is, however, another piece of unconfirmed expectations, and more a case of “fingers crossed” than anything else.

The reality is mid-April might bring with it the first public details, and possibly a release of Windows 7 SP1, but Microsoft has said nothing in this regard. At the same time, any illegal releases come with inherent risks, including malware infections, credit card-data loss, and identity theft, and are not recommended in the least.