Microsoft is cooking new storage features for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3. However, the Windows Feature Pack for Storage will not be limited to the Vista and XP clients, and will also be released for the Windows Server operating systems, namely Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003. At this point in time the Redmond company has failed to disclose an availability deadline, as the project is only in pre-release stage, and available for download to testers via Microsoft Connect.

"The beta is being released in order to get coverage on any legacy scenarios and install/uninstall scenarios," reads an excerpt from the message posted by Microsoft for the Windows feature Pack for Storage Beta. "This beta contains downloads for the 3 technologies below for the following operating systems: Windows Vista, Windows Vista SP1, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP SP2+, Windows Server 2003 SP1+. Smartcard on XP is only available in 32 bit."

Microsoft is making quite a tradition out of adding features to Windows Vista SP1 following the general availability of the service pack in March 2008. In this context, Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless was dropped on April 16, while Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 – Windows Fiji RTM'ed in mid 2008. Windows Feature Pack for Storage simply continues this trend promising to enhance the storage features already available in Vista SP1.

"There are 3 technologies available for this Pre-Release – Each will have its own installer: active Storage Platform: This pre-release package enables the Windows platform to restrict access to portable devices (such as a USB Flash Device) via a certificate or password authentication based on the IEEE 1667 standard specification. Image Mastering API update for Blu-Ray media: This feature enables the Windows platform to do master style optical burning on Blu-Ray media. Smart Card Driver: This release provides support for new form factors, such as ICCD/CCID," a Windows Storage Platform Team representative added.