It’s been a busy week for beta software downloads—we had a tremendous response to the Windows 7 Beta, to the point where we needed to add server capacity just to keep up! And if you haven’t downloaded the Windows 7 Beta yet, you can still do so here.

Right on the heels of Windows 7 is the Beta 1 for Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization 1.0 (MED-V), one of six technologies in the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). MED-V helps to overcome application-to-OS compatibility issues (for example, allowing an application built for Windows XP to operate on a Windows Vista PC), and provides deployment, management and user experience capability for Virtual PC images in an enterprise environment. MED-V is a client-hosted virtualization technology, making it ideal for circumstances where the end user is regularly offline (such as mobile laptop users) or on a limited network connection. The beta is available to the public for free. The final release of MED-V v1.0 will be available through the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack—your organization must have or purchase Windows Client Software Assurance on your Windows desktops to buy MDOP.

You can download the MDOP MED-V Version 1 Beta here. Please note—you will need to answer a short five question survey before downloading the software.

For more information on the MED-V Version 1 Beta, there is also an FAQ document and Quick Start Guide available on the download site. And for topical resources on managing a Windows environment, please see the Springboard Series on TechNet.