14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is getting closer to the release of the public Beta for the first upgrade to the latest iteration of its Windows client and server operating systems. The Redmond-based company did confirm the availability of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (which is the same as Windows Server 2008 SP1) next month, in July 2010. However, the software giant has yet to make public the actual launch date for Windows 7 SP1 Beta.
But this is not stopping Microsoft from sending out invitations to the Beta testing program, according to Mary-Jo Foley. Some testers have already started receiving messages from the company, looking to get them to take part in the testing of Windows 7 SP1 Beta. Early adopters speaking English, German, Japanese, French and Spanish will be receiving a localized version of the first service pack for Windows 7 in Beta stage next month.
While on stage at the Tech•Ed 2010 conference, Bob Muglia, President, Server and Tools Business, announced that Windows 7 SP1 would reach Beta in July. Having downplayed the relevancy of SP1 for Windows 7 on numerous occasions, Microsoft confirmed that there are no new features planned for the evolution of the client. In this sense, Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 will be nothing more than a package with bug fixes and security patches. Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 is slated to offer a few new features to customers, including RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory.
Below is the invitation to test Windows 7 SP1 Beta sent to early adopters by Microsoft, courtesy of Mary-Jo Foley.
"You are receiving this invitation based on the quality of feedback you have provided on previous Windows programs and the Microsoft Windows release team would like you to participate in the Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) release program, to be available shortly, as announced at the Microsoft’s TechEd conference.
Accepting this invitation will allow you to access pre-release versions of the Service Pack for the purposes of validating the release readiness. We highly value your past feedback and know we can count on you again to help us build a great new version of Windows!
The SP1 release version is not available quite yet but we need to assemble a great team of program peers early so you are ready to go when we are! If you accept this invitation you’ll be notified when the release version becomes available.
What you will get if you choose to participate
• Early access to downloadable Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 releases
• Access to private newsgroups to share information about the release with other program peers and with Microsoft staff
• The ability to report bugs and track their status
• An opportunity to help us build a better Windows by validating the release readiness
What we will ask of you if you choose to participate
• Download and install Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 on at least one PC each • File bugs if you encounter them as well as respond to surveys as you can. • Validation we are seeking o Set-up and installation o Application Experience/Compatibility o Device Experience/Compatibility • We ask that you actively participate in discussions on the newsgroups and share your opinions with us and others
Things you should know about Windows 7 and the beta program
• The bits will be available in English, German, Japanese, French and Spanish. • The beta is conducted in English (feedback / bug reports should be in English). • Availability will be via download only of the SP1 update. You will need access to a PC with Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 already installed • PCs that support and run Windows 7 should allow you to run Windows 7 SP1. • Servers that support and run Windows Server 2008 R2 should allow you to run Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
We appreciate your help in developing and releasing a high-quality Service Pack release for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, there will not be any free gift for participating in this program.
Getting Started
While the release is not quite available now, we know you are excited to get started so we have opened the newsgroups so you may begin renewing contacts with previous participants as well as meeting new testing peers. After accepting the invitation, you will be able to sign into Microsoft Connect and go to the ‘Windows 7 SP1 Beta’ for more information on the newsgroups.
The team would like to thank you in advance for helping make this our best SP release to date and we look forward to your validation!
Regards, The Windows Customer Connection Team."