The promise for Windows 7 is that it will deliver an evolution when it will come down to stretching into the Cloud compared to its precursor, Windows Vista. Microsoft has already ripped default components in older Windows releases from the fabric of the operating system and made them available through Windows Live. But at the same time, future Windows platforms now also refer to the first Microsoft Cloud operating system, Windows Azure. Microsoft Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie announced Windows Azure at the end of October 2008 in Los Angeles and the company released tools for developers to start building applications and services for the new OS. At this point in time, the Redmond giant informs that Windows 7 Beta, released as a public download on January 10, 2009, doesn't play nice with Windows Azure tools, refreshed in January.

“Well, in case you have and are wondering why some parts don't work, or in case you haven't and were thinking of trying to, or haven't and were thinking you might look good in mauve stretchy velour pants (like I did that one time at last year’s MSFT Christmas party), I have some info for you,” stated David Lemphers, senior program manager on the Windows Azure team. “First, there is an issue with running the SDK (not the tools) on Windows 7 Beta. Essentially, you can install the SDK, but when you try to run your project on the local developer fabric, it will fall over. Second, we're actively working on the problem, both us and the Windows 7 team, so as soon as we work out a solution we'll get it out to folks.”

Developers that are running Windows 7 as their primary operating system and wish to continue doing so can resort to virtualization in order to build with the Windows Azure Software Development Kit (January 2009 CTP) on Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio (January 2009 CTP). Microsoft even has free solutions available for download to make it easy on them.

"So what do you do in the meantime? My personal approach was to download the VSTS 2008 SP1/TFS SP1 free trial VPC (it expires on the 31st of December, 2009, which should give us enough time to sort the issue out, install the SDK on that, then run that inside Virtual PC 2007 SP1."

Windows 7 Beta is available for download here.

Windows Azure Software Development Kit (January 2009 CTP) is available for download here.

Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio (January 2009 CTP) are available for download here.

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server and Team Suite SP1 VPC Image is available for download here.

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server SP1 VPC Image can be downloaded from here.