Microsoft is offering a veritable bonanza of Windows Server evaluation editions free downloads. Packaged under the label Windows Embedded Server Products Evaluation Software, a number of no less than ten products are offered at no charge for evaluation purposes only. Testers will have access to a variety of operating systems and adjacent solutions provided they complete a registration process which essentially takes very little time. After registration is complete, Microsoft will provide not only the Windows Embedded Server Products evaluation products but also the keys necessary to run the software.

"This download is intended for Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs") developing Dedicated Server solutions. The download includes a variety of tools for creating fixed-function Dedicated Server products built on Windows Server 2003 technology," informs an excerpt from the Windows Embedded Server Products Evaluation Registration Site via Hypervoria.

But even if Microsoft is targeting OEMs with the Windows Embedded Server Products Evaluation Software package, the fact is that following the registration process, all users will be able to download and test drive the solutions made available. While all the software offerings can be grabbed after registration is dealt with and be deployed for evaluation, Microsoft warned that for some products, a Windows Server 2003 license is required.

"Regardless of any contact preferences you might have previously made on this Microsoft site or on other Microsoft sites or services, by registering for the evaluation software, you consent and agree to allow Microsoft or one of its third-party agents to contact you for the purpose of soliciting feedback on the evaluation software or to supply you with additional evaluation content and information," Microsoft revealed on the registration page for Windows Embedded Server Products Evaluation Software Download.

The software delivered as a part of the Windows Embedded Server Products Evaluation Software package includes:

- Windows Server 2008 for Embedded Systems
- Windows Server 2003 R2 for Embedded Systems
- Windows Storage Server 2003 R2
- Microsoft Windows Unified Data Storage Server 2003 (32-bit)
- Microsoft Windows Unified Data Storage Server 2003 (64-bit)
- Windows Home Server
- Microsoft Server Appliance Software Version 3.1 Evaluation Download
- Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager
- Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006
- SQL Server 2005 for Embedded Systems.