With the availability of Windows 7 Beta, Microsoft is also offering developers the necessary tools and resources to start building and adapting software and hardware products to the next iteration of Windows. One illustrative example in this context is the Windows Driver Kit (WDK) Beta for Windows 7 Beta Build 7000. In addition, the Redmond company is also delivering extensive documentation accompanying the latest WDK release for Windows 7 Beta, in an effort to provide developers with the necessary resources to help them tailor their drivers to Windows Vista's successor.

“You'll be pleased to know that you can now download the Windows 7 Beta WDK documentation in either hxs or chm format. Both downloads contain the same documentation bits that shipped in the Windows 7 Beta WDK. Alternatively, you can access the Windows 7 Beta WDK documentation online,” Ted Hudek, Sr. content publishing lead, Microsoft. “Releasing in chm format is an experiment for us, and as such is currently just a one-shot. If we get feedback that folks like it, we’ll probably go ahead and refresh the chm at major OS milestones.”

The official Windows Driver Kit (WDK) Documentation webpage offers visitors instructions to download and install both the WDKdocs and the WDKchm. Alternatively, the Windows Driver Kit can be accessed via MSDN. The actual Windows Driver Kit for Windows 7 Beta bits are available to MSDN subscribers and via Microsoft Connect.

“Do note that even if you already use chm's on Vista, you'll need to unblock your downloaded chm before you can use it. Instructions for unblocking are on the download page. Among other advantages of the chm format, don't forget to enjoy wildcard search! If you’re looking for the full Win7 beta WDK, surf on over to Microsoft Connect. You’ll need to join the “Windows Driver Kit (WDK), Windows Logo Kit (WLK) and Windows Driver Framework (WDF)” connection on Connect,” Hudek added.