Windows Server 2003, the Office 2007 System and Visual Studio 2008 are available for download straight from Microsoft via VPC bundles. The Redmond company is effectively defying its proprietary business model and is delivering free offerings designed to permit users to test drive them. The Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server VPC Image (Trial) and the Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server and Team Suite VPC Image (Trial) are just the latest examples of Microsoft's marketing stunts with trial versions of its software solutions that span to encompass even Windows Vista.

The only downside is that testers will not be able to actually install these downloads. These particular bundles of Windows Server 2003, Office 2007 or Visual Studio 2008 are nothing more than Virtual Hard Disk files built to integrate seamlessly with either Virtual PC 2007 or Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1. On the other hand, users do not need to bother with the deployment, management and uninstallation processes, and just create a virtual machine and load the pre-configured virtual hard disk images. These two specific VHD images can be used until the end of 2008 for free.

"We have fully installed Team System VPCs available as TRIAL downloads. This is extremely helpful if you want to get a first look into Team System or play around a bit without the need to order hardware and install the whole Server product," informed Marcus Alt, Senior Developer Technology Advisor Developer Platform & Strategy Group Microsoft Deutschland.

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server VPC Image contains Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, SP2 but also Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server (Team Foundation Server 2008, Team Explorer 2008 and Team Build 2008). Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server and Team Suite VPC Image (Trial) is a tad richer in options, delivering Visual Studio 2008 Team System and the Office 2007 System Service Pack 1 on top of what the first VPC delivered.

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server VPC Image and visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server and Team Suite VPC Image can be downloaded from here.