Download Free Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM Standard Full (x64) Evaluation VHD

Microsoft released the first upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in February 2011, and the company is now making it easier than ever for customers to test Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1. When taking new technologies out for a spin, users always need to dedicate time and effort to setting up the testing environment, deploying the solution, configuring it, managing it, etc.

In order to simplify testing and all but circumvent all the normal steps that customers need to go through before they can actually get their hands dirty, the software giant is now providing a pre-configured VHD of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM.

“Download and evaluate Windows Server 2008 R2. You’ll have the opportunity to try new and improved features and functionality of Windows Server 2008 R2 free for 180 days,” Microsoft said.

“Please note that this product is available for evaluation purposes only and should not be used in a production environment.”

Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM Standard Full (x64) Evaluation VHD is available free of charge from the Microsoft Download Center.

Customers can download the virtual hard disk image, set up a virtual machine and be up and running in no time. They will need Hyper-V in order to leverage the Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM Standard Full (x64) Evaluation VHD, Microsoft stressed.

“By default, this VM comes configured without a virtual NIC assigned. If you do not have a virtual NIC already defined in Hyper-V Manager, you will need to configure one. This is required in order to activate your 180 day trial period. You will have 10 days to activate,” the software giant added.

“Also, if you want to add more memory beyond the defaulted 2GB, do so before you launch the VM (Note: You can add a virtual NIC while the VM is running, but you cannot alter the memory).”

Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RTM Standard Full (x64) Evaluation VHD is available for download here.