Microsoft Ships New Betas of 'Big 3' Products at WinHEC

Published: May 24, 2006

by Alex Woodie

The next generation of Microsoft's core products took a step forward this week when the software giant unveiled a second round of beta releases of Windows Server "Longhorn," Windows Vista, and Office 2007. It was the first time Microsoft has simultaneously released test versions of all there of its flagship products at the same time, and this brings some benefits

During his keynote address at the Washington State Convention Center yesterday, Microsoft chairman and CTO Bill Gates discussed the significance of the simultaneous release of new betas of Longhorn, Vista, and Office. "We've never had it synchronized in this way before," Gates said, "and we think this is a great way for us to see how it works together, and for customers when it comes time to roll this out."

The simultaneous release makes Microsoft look good, but it's not just for show, says Bob Muglia, senior vice president of server and tools. According to Muglia, users will need two or more of the latest beta releases to take advantage of some of the new features. For example, many of the features in Longhorn are also designed to support the deployment of Vista and Office technologies, including Windows Deployment Services, Network Access Protection, Terminal Services Gateway, Internet Information Services 7.0, and a new TCP/IP network stack,.

In a PressPass Q&A, Muglia encouraged users and business partners to pick up the new beta. "The beta 2 milestone is a good time for our customers and our industry partners to begin testing this product," he says. "We're pleased to be on track with the Windows Server roadmap, and we're eager for people to start testing the product."

Longhorn beta 2 also gives administrators the option to install Windows Server with only core server functionality, and to skip the extra stuff that makes the software run slower, require less maintenance and fewer updates, improves security and reduces management because fewer components are installed.

Longhorn beta 2 will be available to more than 500,000 subscribers to TechNet and MSDN, beta testers, customers, and partners. Microsoft is also encouraging its hardware and software partners to test the new releases.