Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 VHD is nothing more than a preconfigured virtual hard disk designed to be run inside a virtual machine. The package permits an easy way to test drive Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 without the users having to install the actual process. The new image went live on the Download Center on September 23, 2008 weighing in at over 4.1 GB. According to Microsoft, the evaluation package brings Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition, SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition plus SP1, Office Professional 2007; Office SharePoint Designer 2007; Windows SharePoint Services 3.0; Office SharePoint Server 2007; .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0.

“If you’ve activated and are using the SharePoint evaluation image you’ve hopefully noticed by now that it’s due to expire at the end of this month. If you have activated the original image and have been using it for demos or a POC you’ll need to download the new image and backup and restore your configuration, there’s no way to extend the expiry date,” revealed a member of the Microsoft SharePoint team.

The pre-configured VHD provides access to a fully functional collection of software solutions, with the focus on Office SharePoint Server 2007. Microsoft has time-bombed the release to 30 days, a period at the end of which the virtual hard disk image will expire. But for a month, testers will be able to evaluate SharePoint 2007 in a virtual machine running Virtual Server 2005 R2. Additionally, the 30-day initial evaluation period can be expanded to over a year, but only by MSDN and TechNet subscribers.

“If you are a current MSDN Subscriber or TechNet Subscriber and wish to continue evaluating this package past the initial 30 days, you can activate the Windows operating system within the image by using a MSDN or TechNet Product Key,” Microsoft noted. “This Image has been created using evaluation software and will automatically cease to function on January 29, 2010. Even if you activate the product by using an MSDN or TechNet Product Key, this image will be unusable as of January 29, 2010.”

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 VHD is available for download here.