The final version of Microsoft Web Platform Installer 1.0 has been released to web earlier this week. The gold version of the solution is now available as a free download from Microsoft and is designed to centralize all the disparate components of the company's Web Platform. According to the software giant, the tool only supports Windows Vista RTM and SP1, Windows XP SP3 and earlier, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008. However, Microsoft Web Platform Installer 1.0 also integrates with the Beta release of Windows 7 Build 7000. 

“The Microsoft Web Platform Installer is a free tool that makes it simple to download and install the latest components of the Microsoft Web Platform, including Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 and 7.0, SQL Server 2008 Express, .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and Visual Web Developer 2008 Express SP1. The Web Platform Installer offers a single installer to help you obtain the software you need to build and run a complete Web solution on the Microsoft Web platform, whether you are using Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, or Windows Server 2008. In addition, the Web Platform Installer checks online to ensure the most current versions and new additions to the Microsoft Web Platform are downloaded,” revealed Microsoft's Mithun Dhar.

The Web Platform Installer debuted into Beta stage at the end of September 2008. Made available in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors, the development process of the tool was sufficiently fast-paced for the software giant to unveil the gold version to be offered just four months since the initial Beta. Microsoft Web Platform Installer 1.0 offers developers and server administrators the possibility to streamline the tasks associated with the process of discovering, downloading and installing the Microsoft Web platform. Via a user-friendly interface, the tool permits components to be selected one by one, completely automating the remaining process of grabbing the items and deploying them.

Microsoft Web Platform Installer 1.0 is available for download here.