As of the start of September 2009, customers running version 1.0 of Forefront Client Security will be able to leverage the security solution even in the context in which machines in their environment are running the latest iteration of Windows client and server platforms. This because Microsoft has extended operating system support for Forefront Client Security 1.0 to also encompass the successors of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

“Forefront Client Security (FCS) v1.0 is fully supported on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 as of August 31, 2009. With the release of new updates available through Windows Server Update Services or Microsoft Update, customers will be able to extend the protection of FCS v1.0 on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 systems and incorporate security in their infrastructure upgrade plans,” revealed a member of the Forefront team.

Microsoft has issued a Security State Assessment update (1.0.1710.103) for Forefront Client Security, introducing a range of fixes necessary to ensure that version 1.0 of the security solution will offer customers support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. However, Forefront Client Security 1.0 still won’t play nice with the Server Core installation of Windows Server 2008 R2. The Redmond-based company underlined that although support was not available as of yet, it would be introduced in future updates. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 were released to manufacturing in the second half of July 2009.

“FCS v1.0 will be supported on all of the following versions of Windows 7: Windows 7 Business, Enterprise, Home, and Ultimate. FCS v1.0 will also be supported on Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Server and Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Server installation,” the Forefront team representative added.

Microsoft Forefront Codename Stirling Beta 2 is available for download here.