Windows Storage Server 2008 is here!
Windows Storage Server 2008 (WSS08) is now available to OEM partners. WSS08 is built upon Windows Server 2008 – the industry-leading file services platform. WSS08 includes additional advanced storage capabilities such as file de-duplication and an iSCSI software target for unified file- and block-based storage. We deliver WSS08 through our partners as a storage appliance so that the hardware and software are delivered and supported as a complete solution that is optimized for its storage role. Microsoft customers benefit from enterprise-class storage capabilities without sacrificing the flexibility, reliability and familiarity that they expect from Windows Server. This release is a continuation of Microsoft’s commitment to deliver innovative file and storage solutions to our customers through our partners.
Beginning May 7th, you can learn more with the on-demand TechNet Webcast: “Introducing Windows Storage Server 2008” http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032410705
You may also want to check out the WSS team blog (blogs.technet.com/StorageServer) or our Windows Storage Server website (www.microsoft.com/StorageServer) where you can learn more about the solutions that we offer through our partners.
OEM partners will be announcing their Windows Storage Server appliances over the next several weeks. While they are gearing up for release you can learn more about the file services in Windows Server 2008 that WSS08 is built on and get ready for the best storage appliance that we’ve ever delivered!
Source- Windows Server Blog
Windows 7 Assessment and Planning Toolkit 4.0 beta
According to the MAP team Blog the latest version of Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit has been developed and is available for Private testing on MS Connect.The Public Beta would be available in early June
Here is what the team blog reads
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is an integrated platform with tools and guidance that make it easier for you to assess your current IT infrastructure and determine the right Microsoft technologies for your IT needs. It offers quick inventory, powerful assessment and actionable recommendations for many major Microsoft products so you can save time and cost to plan your deployment projects:
- Windows 7 (NEW!)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 (NEW!)
- Hyper-V for Windows Server 2008 R2 (NEW!)
- Windows Vista
- Windows Server 2008
- Hyper-V for Windows Server 2008
- SQL Server 2008
- 2007 Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Application Virtualization
- Microsoft Online Services (e.g. Exchange Online)
- Forefront Client Security and more
Join the Beta Now!
- Click here to join the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 4.0 Beta Program
- Download the latest MAP 4.0 sneak-peak overview PowerPoint deck
- Coming soon: MAP 4.0 Toolkit is current in private beta. Public beta will be released in early June
- Learn more about the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit on TechNet (get MAP 3.2 released bits here!
Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 available on TechNet and MSDN
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 is now available for download on TechNet and MSDN.The following editions of Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 is available -x86, x64, i64
Currently Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 is available in the following languages- English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish
Windows 7 RC and Windows Server 2008 R2 RC available on TechNet and MSDN
Finally after long wait Windows 7 RC and Windows Server 2008 R2 RC is now available for download on TechNet and MSDN.
The following downloads are available
- Windows 7 Ultimate RC (x86) - DVD (English)
- Windows 7 Ultimate RC (x64) - DVD (English)
- Windows 7 RC Language Pack (x86) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows 7 RC Language Pack (x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows Automated Installation Kit for Windows 7 RC and Windows Server 2008 R2 RC (x86/x64/ia64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Driver Kit for Windows 7 RC (x86, x64, and ia64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 RC for Itanium Based Systems (ia64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter, Enterprise, Standard, and Web RC (x64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 RC Language Pack (ia64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 RC Language Pack (x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 RC (x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows Software Development Kit for Windows 7 RC (x86) - DVD (English)
- Windows Software Development Kit for Windows 7 RC (ia64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Software Development Kit for Windows 7 RC (x64) - DVD (English)
Windows Vista SP2 RTM + Windows Vista SP1 Blocker Tool Removed
Today we are announcing the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. SP2 represents the latest step in Microsoft’s commitment to continuous improvement. It includes all updates that have been delivered since SP1, as well as support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards.
As we have mentioned before, here are some of the key benefits of Windows Vista SP2:
- Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches
- Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack supporting the most recent specification for Bluetooth Technology
- Ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively in Windows Vista
- Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify Wi-Fi Configuration
- Windows Vista SP2 enables the exFAT file system to support UTC timestamps, which allows correct file synchronization across time zones.
And since it comes with a single installer for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, SP2 will be easy for IT Pros to manage, deploy, and support. For a complete overview of the changes introduced in SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, check out the notable changes document on TechNet.
We expect Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 to be publicly available in Q2 2009.
Source- Windows Blog
Windows XP mode beta available on 30th April
According to the Microsoft Press site beta version of Windows XP Mode will be made available on April 30.Windows XP mode allows users of Windows 7 Professional and above to launch many older Windows XP productivity applications directly from their Windows 7 desktop. The Windows XP Mode stand-alone feature is specifically designed to help small businesses that are using Windows XP applications move to Windows 7. For larger businesses, Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) MED-V 2.0 builds on top of Windows Virtual PC and provides centralized management of Windows XP Mode. MED-V 2.0 will be available in beta within 90 days of general availability of Windows 7.
Here is what the Microsoft Press pass reads
We are announcing the beta release of Windows XP Mode for Windows 7. Small businesses told us they wanted help upgrading to Windows 7. Windows XP Mode, an optional feature of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions, helps small businesses upgrade to Windows 7 by providing a virtual Windows XP environment capable of running many Windows XP-compatible business and productivity applications. Customers can run many older Windows XP business and productivity applications within Windows XP Mode and launch them from the Windows 7 desktop with just a single click. A beta of Windows XP Mode will be made available on April 30.
We would be posting more information as and when it is available
Download Microsoft Office 2007 SP2
The 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides customers with the latest updates to the 2007 Office suite (the products that are affected by this update are listed below). This download includes two types of fixes:
- Previously unreleased fixes that were made specifically for this service pack.
- In addition to general product fixes, this includes improvements in stability, performance, and security.
- You can find out more information in Knowledge Base Article 953195, where product-specific changes are described.
- All of the Public Updates, Security Updates, Cumulative Updates, and Hotfixes released through February 2009.
Before installing this service pack, you are strongly encouraged to read 953195, which describes some big improvements introduced by SP2, and also calls out some important information that you should be aware of before installing.
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Service Pack 2 is now available!
Description of 2007 Microsoft Office servers Service Pack 2 (SP2) and of 2007 Microsoft Office servers Language Pack Service Pack 2 (SP2)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;953334
Download links:
2007 Microsoft Office servers Service Pack 2 (x86)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B7816D90-5FC6-4347-89B0-A80DEB27A082
2007 Microsoft Office servers Service Pack 2 (x64)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B7816D90-5FC6-4347-89B0-A80DEB27A082
2007 Microsoft Office servers Language Pack Service Pack 2 (x86)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=01C6A3E8-E110-4956-903A-AD16284BF223
2007 Microsoft Office servers Language Pack Service Pack 2 (x64)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=66C5026F-9F47-4642-8378-2526918009FA
Downloadable list of issues that are fixed:
Service Pack 2 includes all public updates, security updates, cumulative updates, and hotfixes that were released through February 2009. It is recommended that you have 5x to 6x the size of the package free to have a successful deployment; this has increased from the requirements needed for SP1.
Please take note of the following KB article:
Known issues that you may experience when you install the 2007 Microsoft Office suite Service Pack 2 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;968173
Source- MSDN Blog
