Good news!  Last week, Microsoft announced the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 products have been released to manufacturing (RTM).  What it means is that you will be able to get these products on the shelves very soon.

Windows 7 Sneak-Peek from MGX

To get you started with deployment planning of your upcoming Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 projects, let me share with you my personal Top 7 Favorite Tools and Resources from Microsoft.

1. Evaluate Windows 7 RC available on Microsoft.com or download Windows 7 RC from TechNet Plus (for TechNet subscribers only)
2. Evaluate Windows Server 2008 R2 (RC candidate) including the BrachCache, DirectAccess, and Hyper-V features
3. Assess your existing PCs and servers for hardware and device compatibility with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 using the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 (NEW!)
4. Determine virtualization candidates through Hyper-V server consolidation and calculate ROI with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 and Microsoft Virtualization ROI Calculator (NEW!)
5. Learn how to quickly design the right infrastructure for Windows Server 2008 R2 including roles such as IIS, File, Print and Active Directory with the newly released Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides 2.0 (NEW!)
6. Gather desktop user requirements to optimize your desktop user experience through technologies such as Windows 7, App-V, DirectAccess, MED-V and more with Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios Solution Accelerator including assessment tool (NEW!)
7. Deploy PCs quickly and securely with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 (beta) and Windows 7 Security Baselines 

Cheers,

Baldwin