Download: Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate (RC)

Now you can download and try the next release of Windows Server, Windows Server 2012, will offer businesses and hosting providers a scalable, dynamic, and multitenant-aware, cloud-optimized infrastructure. It securely connects across premises and helps IT Professionals to respond to business needs faster and more efficiently.

+ Download the 64-bit ISO: GET STARTED NOW

+ Download the VHD: GET STARTED NOW

+ Register: Register to access technical product resources—forums, solution accelerators, white papers and webcasts—at the Windows Server 2012 RC Resource Page.

Download: Windows 7 & Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Release Candidate (RC) helps keep your PCs and servers on the latest support level, provides on-going improvements to the Windows Operating System (OS), by including previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms based on customer and partner feedback, and is easy for organizations to deploy a single set of updates.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Release Candidate will help you:

• Keep your PCs supported and up-to-date
• Get on-going updates to the Windows 7 platform
• Easily deploy cumulative updates at a single time
• Meet your users’ demands for greater business mobility
• Provide a comprehensive set of virtualization innovations
• Provide an easier Service Pack deployment model for better IT efficiency

  In order to download and install the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Release Candidate you must currently have a Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 already installed.

  If you have previously installed the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta on your machine, you must uninstall the beta before installing the Release Candidate. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Release Candidate is available for installation in the same languages made available at original launch of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

Download: You can download and try the Windows 7 & Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack1 Release Candidate. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Release Candidate includes previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms.

Improvements: You can refer the following documentation for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate. It includes Hotfixes and Security Updates included in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate,  Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate Notable Changes and Test Guidance.

Have questions? Also you can find the FAQ regarding Windows 7 & Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack1 Release Candidate (RC), which answers your queries. BTW, based on FAQ Service Pack 1 will be released within the first half of calendar year 2011

Download and Try: Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Release Candidate

 

Lync Server 2010 ushers in a new connected experience transforming communication into an interaction that is more collaborative, engaging and accessible from any location with internet connectivity. A single interface unites voice, IM, audio-, video-, and web-conferencing into a richer, more contextual offering and a single identity makes it easier and more efficient for users to find contacts, check their availability and connect with them.  Lync Server 2010 works consistently with Microsoft Office, enriching the experience of familiar applications like Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft SharePoint, and more.

Try a fully functional version of Lync Server 2010 RC in your own environment. You can download it from: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/lync/try-it_lync.aspx?CR_CC=200004695. This download includes both Microsoft® Lync™ Server 2010 and Microsoft® Lync™ 2010 (client).

Download : Windows Phone Developer tools CTP

With respect to my earlier blog post regarding Windows Mobile 6.5 developer tool kit, now you can download the “Windows Phone Developer tools CTP”. The same powerful and easy to use Visual Studio integrated developer environment (IDE) handles from design to testing of Windows Phone 7 Series phone applications.

It’s designed to work with Windows 7 and Vista. In order to try with Windows Phone 7 Training Kit for Developers (my earlier blog post), this CTP is required. It includes,

• Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone CTP
• Windows Phone Emulator CTP
• Silverlight for Windows Phone CTP
• XNA 4.0 Game Studio CTP

Please note:

• This CTP of the Windows Phone Developer Tools is based on the release candidate (RC) of VS 2010, and is not compatible with the final release (RTM) versions of Visual Studio 2010.
• If you upgrade with the release version, Phone development scenarios will break. We are working on an update to the CTP that will support the release version.
• If you wish to be notified upon its availability, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/cmpn/vslaunch/default.mspx and submit your email address.

Download : Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Release Candidate

The Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Release Candidate was released last week to MSDN subscribers. Microsoft updated that the download would be made available to the public shortly afterwards. The downloads are now available for the public as well. Visual Studio 2010 offers many improvements over the current retail version Visual Studio 2008. It features a redesigned streamlined IDE that has been optimized for multiple document windows and multi-monitors. The new version of Visual Studio comes with the Microsoft .net Framework 4.0 which is currently also available as a release candidate. Other additions include integrated support for developing Microsoft Silver light applications, parallel computing enhancements and support for IBM DB2 and Oracle databases. The final version of Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 is scheduled for a world wide release on April, 2010.

Downloads @ Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Release Candidate

Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 Training Kit
Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2010 Ultimate RC ISO (DVD-5)
Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2010 Premium RC ISO (DVD-5)
Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2010 Professional RC ISO (DVD-5)
Microsoft® Visual Studio® Agents 2010 RC ISO (DVD-5)
Microsoft® Visual Studio® Test Professional 2010 RC ISO (DVD-5)
Microsoft® Visual Studio® Team Foundation Server 2010 RC ISO (DVD-5)
Microsoft® Visual Studio® Team Explorer 2010 RC ISO (DVD-5)
Microsoft® Visual Studio® Lab Management 2010 RC
Microsoft® .NET Framework 4 RC (x86, x64, ia64)
Microsoft® .NET Framework 4 Client Profile RC (x86, x64)
Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2010 SDK RC
Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2010 Visualization & Modeling SDK RC
Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2010 Remote Debugger RC (x86, x64, ia64)
Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2010 Shell (Integrated) RC
Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2010 Shell (Isolated) RC
Microsoft® Visual FSHARP 2.0 Runtime RC

You can take a look at the official Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 web for additional information about the changes and additions of that new version.

Exchange 2010 – Code complete & on its way for general availability

I went through the MS Exchange Team blog post http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2009/10/08/452775.aspx titled “Exchange 2010 is Code Complete and on its way to General Availability”.

It’s nice to hear that Exchange 2010 is Code Complete & it has been sent to early adopters for one final look before its public release. This Release to Manufacturing (RTM) milestone – way to general availability and the launch at Tech·Ed Europe 2009 (http://www.microsoft.com/europe/teched/) in early November. Wow, good job!!

Top ten reasons for Upgrade:
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 is designed to deliver increased protection for your business and give anywhere access for your employees, while being operationally efficient to deploy, manage and maintain. Should you upgrade? Here are ten reasons for you to consider. http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/2007/evaluation/topreasons.mspx 

Technical resources available:

 Read the Exchange 2010 Product Overview

 Review the Exchange 2010 FAQ

 Watch Exchange 2010 Videos

 Download the Release Candidate Today

To try, you have three options:

Trial Software:

The new Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate is here. Download this 120-day free release candidate version and try the new features in your own environment. When you register for the Exchange Server 2010 RC software you will automatically receive valuable product evaluation resources assembled in one convenient location.

Please review the Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 system requirements before you proceed. The Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 RC software is available in the following language: English

Virtual Hard Drive

The Microsoft VHD Test Drive Program provides customers with an enhanced server-based software evaluation experience that’s faster, better supported, and more flexible. You can now access the entire catalog of pre-configured Microsoft and partner products and solutions in the VHD format and start evaluating and testing today.

Online Trial

Experience the new world of 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.

Resources available: Exchange 2010

PrePress Chapter Downloads:

• Exchange 2010 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant: Chapter 1: Exchange Server Administration Overview AND Chapter 6: Mailbox Administration (Note: this is pre-release material that is based on information from Exchange 2010 Beta; for Exchange 2010 RC documentation, see the link below).

Free eLearning Clinics:

• Collection 6899: Exploring Features in Exchange 2010 (2-hours)
• Collection 6900: Introduction to Exchange 2010 (1-hour)
• Collection 6901: Exchange Server 2010 in an Enterprise (1-hour)

Instructor-Led Training:

• Course 10133a: First Look Clinic – What’s New in Exchange Server 2010 (3-hours)
• Course 10134a: Hands on Lab – What’s New in Exchange Server 2010 (3-hours)
• Course 10150a: Exchange Server 2010 (Beta) Ignite (3-days)

Training Portal Link:

• Exchange 2010 Learning Portal

Available: Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate & documentation

Yesterday, Microsoft announced that the Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate is feature complete and available for download.  You can get the updated online documentation for this release @ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124558(EXCHG.149).aspx.

Relevant info:

If you want to learn more about Exchange 2010, check out the Exchange 2010 TechCenter.

If you want a quick overview of what’s new in Exchange 2010, check out What’s New in Exchange Server 2010.

To get started with Exchange 2010, head for Planning and Deployment. It lays out the recommended sequence for preparing for and then installing Exchange 2010, and includes the following important topics:

• Exchange 2010 System Requirements
• Exchange 2010 Prerequisites
• Planning Roadmap for Upgrade and Coexistence – Exchange 2003
• Planning Roadmap for Upgrade and Coexistence – Exchange 2007
• New Installation of Exchange 2010
• Perform a Typical Exchange 2010 Installation
• Perform a Custom Exchange 2010 Installation
• Upgrading and Coexisting with Exchange 2010

Why trying with Exchange Server 2010 beta, try with Release Candidate & have fun…