Windows Server code-name Longhorn has reached the Beta 3 milestone, and it is available as a public download from Microsoft. This is the first public pre-release version of the upcoming Windows Server Longhorn that is due for RTM in the second half of 2007. David Lowe, Senior Product Manager, Microsoft Windows Server Division revealed that Longhorn Beta 3 delivers a range of improvements over the previous testing stage and the interim CTP builds, including among others, a revamped Server Manager; new roles and features for the Server Core installation option; built in Windows PowerShell; Terminal Services come with TS Easy Print and the new TS RemoteApp management interface; the setup and integration of Network Access Protection has been enhanced and last but not least IIS7 offers XCOPY.

"As they take it for a test drive, our customers and partners will find we made some vast improvements in Windows Server 'Longhorn' to help them reduce costs and adapt to changing business needs," said Bill Laing, general manager of the Windows Server Division at Microsoft. "Between early adopter customers and Microsoft IT, we have hundreds of servers running in production environments today. If there's one message we want to send today, it is get ready, download and evaluate."

No less than five different editions of Windows Server Longhorn have been made available for download. Windows Server Longhorn Beta 3 Standard Edition, Windows Server Longhorn Beta 3 Enterprise Edition, Windows Server Longhorn Beta 3 Datacenter Edition, Windows Web Server Longhorn Beta 3 and Windows Server Longhorn Beta 3 for Itanium-based Systems are offered in English, German and Japanese.

Users will be able to test drive Windows Server Longhorn Beta 3 until April 7, 2008, as the release is time limited. Windows Server Longhorn Beta 3 is available for download here.