The Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) is now available for immediate download if you are one of our TechNet and MSDN subscribers. If you’re not a TechNet Plus subscriber, please click here to learn about the benefits of becoming one. They are many, in addition to getting early access to important new releases.
Windows 7 RC will be made available to the general public on May 5, 2009. You will then be able to download Windows 7 RC here, through the Springboard Series on TechNet. Windows 7 Ultimate is the Release Candidate edition; it will be available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions in English, French, Japanese, German, and Spanish.
More to come,
Mitch
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Evaluate Microsoft Forefront codename “Stirling” Beta 2
Microsoft Forefront codename “Stirling” is an integrated security suite that delivers protection across endpoint, servers and the edge that is easier to manage and control. By delivering simplified management and providing critical visibility into threats, vulnerabilities, and configuration risks, Forefront codename “Stirling” helps you protect your business with greater confidence and efficiency.
Download Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway Beta 2
Try the next generation of Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration (ISA) Server and experience key features that include Web anti-malware, HTTPS inspection and the Network Inspection System.
Microsoft today announced the availability of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the 2007 Microsoft Office system. The update includes major performance enhancements for Office applications, most notably Microsoft Office Outlook and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server. Another big benefit is SP2’s boost to interoperability. With this release, Office supports additional built-in file formats such as PDF and ODF. The service pack includes the latest updates to the 2007 Office suite and two types of fixes:
Download the 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2
BizTalk Server 2009 delivers new capabilities to help customers more effectively integrate disparate systems, enhance end-to-end enterprise connectivity and more quickly exchange data across multiple platforms, resulting in increased efficiency and lower costs. Learn more:
· Download 180-Day Trial
· Introduction to Microsoft BizTalk Server 2009 (whitepaper)
· Try the online virtual labs
· New features in BizTalk Sever 2009
Microsoft announced today that the Business Productivity Online Standard Suite, part of the Microsoft Online Services, is available to businesses in 19 countries worldwide. The suite, including Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Office Communications Online and Microsoft Office Live Meeting, is a set of messaging and collaboration solutions hosted by Microsoft which enable rapid deployment and reduce the need for infrastructure investments. Pricing starts from $15 per user per month.
Microsoft is offering a 25 percent discount on the Business Productivity Online Suite to customers who purchase it by the end of June 2009.
Download Datasheet: Word | XPS
Check out the Windows Blog to learn about the new Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC. Windows XP Mode is a virtual Windows XP environment running under Windows Virtual PC which enables you to run many older productivity applications on a Windows 7 based PC.
IIS Media Services is a set of media-related extensions for Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 that provides an integrated HTTP-based media delivery platform. IIS Media Services 2.0 contains three extensions:
Download ISS Media Services 2.0 – 64 bit here.
You can also download two additional beta IIS Media Services extensions from the Microsoft Web Platform Installer (Web PI) by selecting IIS Media Services 3.0 - Beta. The two additional beta extensions available are:
TechNet Magazine has published a special online-only Green IT issue for IT professionals. It’s chock-full of the tools and techniques to help you start taking the steps toward a more environmentally sustainable IT environment. Learn how to plan your Green IT strategy and get your initiatives rolling.
The Windows Security Blog features a great high-level look by Paul Cooke at the security features in Windows 7 that help mobile workers access the information they need to be productive. He describes the benefits of Windows 7 support for multiple active firewall policies, which enables PCs to obtain and apply domain firewall profile information regardless of other networks that may be active on the PC; DirectAccess, which establishes a bi-directional connection from client computers to the corporate network; BranchCache, which caches data accessed from Intranet Web sites and/or file servers locally within the branch office; BitLocker to Go, which allows you to encrypt the disk volume of removable storage devices with a password and/or a digital certificate stored on a smart card; and AppLocker, which helps protect applications that run on corporate PCs by intercepting kernel calls that try to create new processes or load libraries and makes sure that the code in question has been allowed to execute.
Just a heads up about the recent posting of more new Learning Snacks for Windows 7. Learning Snacks are short, interactive presentations delivered via Silverlight. Here are the new Windows 7 “snacks” for IT professionals:
· Implementing User Account Control in Windows 7
· Introducing BitLocker and AppLocker in Windows 7
· Introducing the Troubleshooting Platform in Windows 7
· Using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool for Servicing Windows 7 Images
And for using Windows 7 at home, here’s a couple more learning snacks:
· Setting Up a Home Network in Windows 7
· Desktop Experience in Windows 7
Microsoft today is rolling out Microsoft Forefront Online Security for Exchange, part of the Business Ready Security strategy. Forefront Online Security for Exchange is a Microsoft Online Service which protects businesses’ inbound and outbound e-mail from spam, viruses, phishing scams, and e-mail policy violations. Download the datasheet or participate in the 30 Day Trial for Forefront Online Security for Exchange.
The public beta of Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, part of Microsoft's unified communications family, is now available. Exchange 2010 is the first server in a new generation of Microsoft server technology designed and developed to work on-premises and as an online service, and introduces a new integrated e-mail archive and features to reduce costs and improve the user experience.
There are two ways that you can evaluate Exchange Server 2010: download the public beta (be sure to review the Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 system requirements before you proceed), or take the online trial and experience Software plus Services through Microsoft Exchange Online, which enables you to try all the messaging and calendaring functionality you need with none of the administrative burden.
Watch new Exchange 2010 features and functionality video
For details on the security updates check this page. To download the updates directly and manage the updates, proceed to this page.
And as always, PC users with Automatic Updates turned on will receive the updates automatically.
Considering some applications in the cloud but need to get your arms around the concept? Download the newly updated Azure Services Training Kit, a comprehensive package of hands-on labs, presentations, and demos that are designed to help you learn how to use the Azure Services Platform. The April release includes a new presentation for SQL Data Services and two additional hands-on labs for Windows Azure PHP and native code support. The technical content covers Windows Azure, .NET Services, SQL Services, and Live Services.
Some things need repeating.
With the continued reporting about Windows XP users being left out in the cold when it comes to upgrading to Windows 7, here’s some warm information (not hot, since we’ve talked about this before) about using the latest beta of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Beta to transfer the user settings and files from a Windows XP installation to a new install of Windows 7 on the same PC. Watch this short video (10 min., 4 sec.) and see how you can have a fresh install of Windows 7, with all your Windows XP files and settings, completed in as few as 30 minutes. Here’s where you can download the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 Beta.
Windows Server GM Ian McDonald has been fielding lots of questions from his Windows Server blog, so he has created a separate forum called Ask Ian, to talk about top of mind Windows Server issues. It’s delivered in an entertaining video format. Check it out.
Evaluate the Operations Manager 2007 R2 Release Candidate and see the new and enhanced capabilities, including:
· Monitoring capabilities for Unix and Linux servers and workloads
· The ability to report on service levels across IT availability and performance
· Enhanced system and web monitoring capabilities
See What’s New in Operations Manager 2007 R2 or drill down on the cross-platform monitoring capabilities and managing Unix/Linux with the cross platform extensions.
TechNet Magazine has just posted an insightful piece my Romi Mahajan on five approaches that IT organizations can take to demonstrate their value and reclaim their rightful standing in their companies. And what better time than now, as organizations are grasping for ways to succeed during this economic crisis. Read Reinventing IT in Difficult Times and see how IT organizations have more intrinsic value than is immediately apparent.
Office SharePoint Designer 2007 provides the tools you need to deliver compelling and attractive SharePoint sites and quickly build workflow-enabled applications and reporting tools on the SharePoint platform. Download the free Office SharePoint Designer 2007. Also watch the short video to learn the details and the strategy behind the announcement.
The SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 is now available. Primarily a roll-up of Cumulative Update 1 to 3, Quick Fix Engineering (QFE) updates, and fixes to issues reported through the SQL Server community, SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 also includes capabilities for easier deployment and management of service packs, including:
Download the Service Pack here.
Check out ServerQuest II and prepare to be ushered into a world where the IT pro rules. As an IT Pro you’ll have to dig deep into your surroundings, solve puzzles, and uncover Easter Eggs and mini games that will help you inch your way closer to the prize—and closer to carving your name into the annals of geekdom.
Seriously, ServerQuest II is pretty fun, and the new version is based on Silverlight so it showcases some of the capabilities for delivering rich media capabilities through a Web browser. Play it here.
If you’ll be developing or migrating applications for Windows 7, the Windows 7 taskbar includes new functionality that you’ll need to understand to take full advantage of the new user experience. A great place to start is a recent post on the Windows 7 for Developers blog. It provides an overview of the Taskbar and Libraries Sample .NET Interop Library, the managed code wrapper portion of the Windows 7 .NET Interop Sample Libraries. Not familiar yet with the Windows 7 taskbar? Swing by the Channel 9 webcast Windows 7 Taskbar Overview.
A brand new Solution Accelerator, the Hyper-V Security Guide, provides guidance, instructions, and recommendations to address key security concerns about server virtualization. You’ll learn how to “harden” the Hyper-V server role, delegate virtual machine management and secure machine resources.
· See the other Security Solution Accelerators
· See the other Virtualization Solution Accelerators
Just released today, ACT 5.5 allows you to assess and prepare your applications for Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8. With the new version you can also control information sent to the Compatibility Exchange, and label data collection packages by role. If you want the inside scoop, check out this Springboard Series blog interview with Jeremy Chapman, Windows Senior Product Manager. Also see the Application Quality Cookbook for Windows 7 and the ACT 5 Step by Step Guides
MDOP customers can now get updates with the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack 2009. MDOP 2009 includes the first release of Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V 1.0), a Cumulative Update to Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V 4.5 CU1) and an update to the Asset Inventory Service (AIS). Additionally, MDOP 2009 still includes Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset, Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management, and Microsoft System Center Desktop Error Monitoring.