Microsoft issues Office 2007 SP1

Microsoft has issued the first service pack (SP) update to Office 2007, approximately one year after the product first became available to businesses.

The new update adds largely performance and stability improvements, along with making the server components of Office fully compatible with the forthcoming Windows Server 2008 update.

Office product manager, Reed Shaffner, posted on Microsoft's website: "These enhancements span the software applications and servers that home and office workers use each day and will make the 2007 Office system an even more robust and effective productivity tool. In essence, SP1 targets the issues that customers told us mattered to them most."

Microsoft said the download is available now and customers can also order a CD with the update. At some later date, Microsoft said it will make the service pack available through automatic update.

Shaffner said he hopes the release will remove any lingering doubts that the product is ready for prime time.

He said: "We recently passed the 12 million mark in trial downloads of the 2007 release from Microsoft.com. We're optimistic that with the shipment of SP1 we're removing any residual barriers that may have impeded deployment and that adoption will only accelerate. In the meantime, we'll continue to listen intently to our customers and deliver on their changing needs."

Ina Fried writes for CNET News.com