Microsoft is bridging the gap between the latest versions of the Windows client and server operating systems and its web platform. At the end of September, the Web Platform Installer Beta went live on the Microsoft Download Center. Available for download in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors, Web Platform Installer Beta is designed to support the RTM and Service Pack 1 releases of Windows Vista, as well as Windows Server 2009 SP1/RTM. But at the same time, the solution will integrate with the next iteration of Windows 7.

According to the Microsoft Pre-Release Software License Terms, the Microsoft Web Platform Installer for IIS 7.0: Community Technical Preview has been set up “for use with Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista and Windows 7”. The Redmond giant revealed that “The Microsoft Web Platform Installer (beta) is a free tool that makes it simple to download and install the latest components of the Microsoft Web Platform, including the IIS7, SQL Server Express, .NET Framework and Visual Web Developer”.

Essentially, just as the Windows Live installer centralizes all the client-side applications from the Microsoft Cloud, so the Web Platform Installer streamlines access and deployment to a range of solutions including: IIS7 Web Server; Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition; SQL Server Express Edition; .NET Framework and IIS Extensions (such as FTP 7.0 and URL Rewriter).

The fact that Microsoft has also tailored the Web Platform Installer Beta to Windows 7 signals the proximity of the pre-Beta version of Vista's successor due by the end of this month. At the same time, the software company is reportedly planning to deliver the first fully fledged Beta for Windows 7 in mid-December 2008.

“Developers and server administrators can use the Web Platform Installer Beta to more easily discover, download and install the Microsoft Web platform. Using the Web Platform Installer’s simple user interface, you can select specific components or install the entire Microsoft Web Platform onto your computer easily and quickly. To help you stay up-to-date with product releases, the Web Platform Installer tool always contains the most current versions and new additions to the Microsoft Web Platform,” Microsoft added.

Web Platform Installer Beta is available for download here.