Microsoft Free Peer-to-Peer Download Manager for Vista and XP - Tied to VS2008 Beta 2

A peer-to-peer client is the last thing you would expect from the Redmond company. And yet, Microsoft Secure Content Downloader is an example of peer-assisted technology available for free. Offered as a July 2007 Community Technology Preview, Microsoft Secure Content Downloader is designed to be a limited peer-assisted downloader. 'Limited' because the program is both time-bombed, and also restricted to downloading only select Microsoft CTPs. Otherwise, the Secure Content Downloader comes with support for Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista and Windows XP.

"The Microsoft Secure Content Downloader (MSCD) is a peer-assisted download manager capable of securely downloading specific files. MSCD is intended for consumers who are downloading from a home PC, or business users whose computers are not behind a corporate firewall. If you use MSCD from behind a corporate firewall, you may be unable to download content, and may adversely affect other clients' ability to download content," Microsoft informed.

The fact of the matter is that via Microsoft's P2P downloader you will only be able to access Visual Studio 2008 Beta 2. The CTP is scheduled to expire in no more than four weeks. So the application will not be able to survive for very long, and will became useless as early as 23-August 2007.

"Some MSCD clients may be connected to each other via peer connections, forming a 'cloud' of clients. Pieces of the file you are downloading are sent through these peer connections between clients, as well as through connections with the file server. As a member of the cloud, your computer both serves as a client and server to other members of the cloud. Data destined for the cloud may be routed through your computer and sent to other cloud members. The other cloud members connected to you will be able to access only pieces of the file you are downloading via MSCD - they have no access to any other data on your computer," Microsoft added.