Having released version 1 of the Microsoft Pro Photo Tools at the end of April 2008, the Redmond giant has moved forward with the evolution of the utility designed to permit photographers to  handle digital images in RAW formats. In this context, Microsoft Pro Photo Tools version 2.0 is now available for download for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3. But at the same time, Microsoft has taken the utility beyond the 32-bit editions of Vista SP1 and XP SP3. According to Jeff Greene, Program Manager with Microsoft's Rich Media Group, Pro Photo Tools 2.0 now comes with support for 64-bit Vista SP1/RTM.

“The latest version of Microsoft Pro Photo Tools has been released with some newly added features and improvements in performance. Microsoft Pro Photo Tools provides a set of tools for photographers allowing them to perform various tasks with their images - including RAW captures. The current version enables you to quickly geotag your photos, edit metadata, and organize your images by leveraging the power of Microsoft Live Local,” Greene stated.

Having evolved Pro Photo Tools 1.0, Microsoft has only enriched the array of capabilities delivered by the utility with version 2.0. The functionality of the original release is still available. Pro Photo Tools 2.0 comes with support for managing photographs in the proprietary file format of the cameras, but also to bridge the content with geographical locations, while also connecting imagery with Windows Live Maps and Virtual Earth.

Greene revealed that the new features of Pro Photo Tools 2.0 “include: support for reading & writing XMP side car metadata enabling interoperability with Adobe products. Viewing actual RAW images, in addition to thumbnails. Conversion of RAW files to JPEG and TIFF using 'As Shot' camera settings. The ability to resize RAW images. Support for geotagging international locales. [And] improved functionality for geotagging images”.

Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2.0 are available for download here.