Windows 7 Beta Out Now.....

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Ready to see for yourself what Windows 7 has to offer?  The wait is over.......on Jan 9 the Beta was made available for download via microsoft.com (here) - be quick it's for a limited time and limited to the first 2.5 million downloaders.

Whilst Windows 7 is full of lots of new features, it still maintains application compatibility with Vista applications - if it runs on Vista it should run on Windows 7.  This of course means if your enterprise hasn't yet deployed Vista, now would be a good time.  I have another blog post in the works discussing why you shouldn't wait for Windows 7 if you're not yet running Vista.  In fact deploying Vista is recommended as an important step on the path for getting ready for Windows 7.

Windows 7 offers lots for both consumers and enterprises.  Key improvements for the enterprise include:

  • DirectAccess keeps mobile users connected on the go

  • BranchCache makes file access faster

  • Search information on the PC, mail or SharePoint

  • BitLocker protects data on a PC and portable drives

  • AppLocker lets you control what user's can run

  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure made better

  • Management tools to improve IT productivity

  • Compatibility with Windows Vista and ease of deployment

I'm particularly excited by BranchCache for banks and other branch network businesses - you'll be able to increase the responsiveness of networking and make it feel to the users like they're at head office.  Basically, you can cache a copy of a previously accessed file or intranet site page locally, meaning the next user to download the same content only has to download from the local cache not from the off-site server.  This can be achieved two ways, either with Hosted Cache or Distributed Cache.  Hosted Cache has a Windows 2008 R2 server in the branch hosting the cached files, whereas Distributed Cache does not require a server, rather the cached files are stored directly on a branch PC and distributed as required.  Given it's a passive cache system you'll be able to decrease bandwidth utilisation between branches and head office.

Also of note are the enhanced Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) capabilities which are of interest to enterprises looking to host desktops on a server.  Doing so can remove the need for PCs with large HDDs, lots of RAM etc whilst still giving users the full, rich OS experience.  VDI in Windows 7 supports Aero, WMP 11 video playback, plus multi-monitor support and VOIP.  A great addition is the ability for users to print to local printers without the need to install printer drivers on the server.

Other features of note are Bitlocker To Go which allows you to BitLocker USB storage devices; DirectAccess which allows users to seamlessly connect to their corporate network with just an Internet connection, i.e. no VPN (multifactor authentication can be enabled), as well as enabling IT to remotely manage and update users' PCs when they are connected to the Internet, even if they aren't logged in; Search enhancements make it easy for users to search across multiple locations from their single Windows 7 interface, including  SharePoint sites, remote document repositories and Web Applications - the federated search uses the existing OpenSearch standard; AppLocker gives IT the ability to lock down exactly which applications a user can run; and, last but not least PowerShell 2.0 is built in.

This is by no means the definitive list of enhancements and features in Windows 7 and hasn't even touched on the consumer side.  Go on, download it, play with it.....you know you want to.