The Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta helps keep your PCs and servers on the latest support level, provides ongoing improvements to the Windows Operating System (OS), by including previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms based on customer feedback, and is easy for organizations to deploy a single set of updates.

The Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta will help you:

• Keep your PCs supported and up-to-date
• Get ongoing updates to the Windows 7 platform
• Easily deploy cumulative updates at a single time
• Meet your users’ demands for greater business mobility
• Provide a comprehensive set of virtualization innovations
• Provide an easier Service Pack deployment model for better IT efficiency

The public beta is best suited for IT pros, tech enthusiasts and developers who need to test the service pack in their organization or with the software they are developing.

In order to download and install the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta you must currently have a Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 already installed. The Beta is available in English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish.

To learn more about piloting, deploying and managing Windows 7, visit the Springboard Series on TechNet.

If you’re making the move to Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and/or Office 2010, you need tools and guidance to help you through the process. Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010, a free Solution Accelerator, is designed to fill that need. The latest MDT 2010 Update 1 release, now available for download, offers something for everyone:

For System Center Configuration Manager 2007 customers:

• New “User Driven Installation” deployment method. An easy-to-use UDI Wizard allows users to initiate and customize an OS deployment on their PCs that’s tailored to their individual needs.
• Support for Configuration Manager R3 “Prestaged Media.” For those deploying Windows 7 and Office 2010 along with new PCs, a custom OS image can easily be loaded in the factory and then customized once deployed.

For Lite Touch Installation:

• Support for Office 2010. Easily configure Office 2010 installation and deployment settings through the Deployment Workbench and integration with the Office Customization Tool.
• Improved driver importing. All drivers are inspected during the import process to accurately determine what platforms they really support, avoiding common inaccuracies that can cause deployment issues.

For all existing customers:

• A smooth and simple upgrade process. Installing MDT 2010 Update 1 will preserve your existing MDT configuration, with simple wizards to upgrade existing deployment shares and Configuration Manager installations.
• Many small enhancements and bug fixes. Made in direct response to feedback received from customers and partners all around the world, MDT 2010 Update 1 is an indispensible upgrade for those currently using MDT (as well as a great starting point for those just starting).
• Continued support for older products. MDT 2010 Update 1 still supports deployment of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Office 2007, for those customers who need to be able to support these products during the deployment of Windows 7 and Office 2010.

So make sure to Download MDT 2010 Update 1 from the Microsoft Download Center. Looking for more information?

• Make sure to visit both the MDT site as well as the the Deployment area on the Springboard Series on TechNet.
• Check out
  • How Do I: Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration Using MDT 2010?
  • Deployment Workbench in Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010
  • Video Demonstration: Migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7
  • MDT 2010 Print-Ready Documentation
• Ask questions, post answers, and share your insights in the MDT Forum.

Let us know your thoughts on MDT and how moving from image based deployment to package based deployment has saved you time and money.

What is MDT 2010 and how do I get it???

• Check out my post on the MDT 2010 here and information on how to access the latest version.

How do I build the image and use the tool?

• Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration Using MDT 2010?
  • Part 1: Building the Deployment Environment
  • Part 2: Initiating the Install and Migrating the PC

How do I build that bootable USB stick?

1. Based on the size of the content folder, acquire a USB drive that will store all of your files. (Remember, you can do everything by storing your deployment files on the network also and boot from the LiteTouchPEx86/x64.iso files – they are typically under 300MB)
2. Prepare the USB drive to be bootable
   1. Insert drive
   2. Open an elevated Command Prompt
   3. Type “diskpart.exe”
   4. Type “list disk” and find the disk number
   5. Type “sel disk 1” (replace the “1” with the actual number)
   6. Type “clean”
   7. Type “cre par pri”
   8. Type “active”
   9. Type “format fs=ntfs quick”
   10. Type “assign”
   11. Type “exit”
3. Now copy the content in the “content” folder to the root of the USB stick.
4. Now you should have a bootable USB stick with your image and custom build on it.

How can I view your Get On The Bus Tour presentation?

Thanks again to everyone who attended our Bus Tour events!

For our Boston and New York events, we had an issue with the software arriving in time for us to distribute them onsite, and therefore provided the first 50 attendees in each city with vouchers for a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate so that we may mail the software directly to you. You’ll be pleased to know that after two weeks on the bus tour and one week in New Orleans for TechEd, we are all home now and have sent the discs your way! You will be receiving your copy of Windows 7 Ultimate by the end of this week, please note that a signature will be required for receipt of the package. If you do not receive your copy by this Friday, please feel free to let us know on the blog and we’ll track it down for you.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused, and we thank you for your patience.

We had an amazing tour. 2 Countries, 10 Cities and thousands of IT pros who came with questions and walked away with solutions around Windows 7, Office 2010 and MDOP. Thanks to everyone who came to see us. We met some amazing people and learned a lot about how you use our products everyday. It was an amazing experience for all of us. So thank you all to my co-workers who presented with me to all of you who attended.

Coming to TechEd? The bus we took across the US will be on the show floor in the Windows area for the full week. Make sure to stop by to check out the bus and say hi!

and immediately a bunch of IT Pros (geeks) thought yeah, lets get some McNuggets and loads of sweet tea. It was at a truck stop, so the first sign we saw was:

which made us laugh. Initially we were only there for some quick food, however the conversation quickly turned to Windows. Andy and I were in our GOTB shirts and we were accosted by one of the truck drivers who said “Before we get back on the bus we had to answer one question”:

Here were are with Jim who had some very interesting questions about Windows 7 (we sorted out his wireless office and he was “on the road again” in no time!). So, for those of you who see the bus coming down the road, just because we’re not at an event…we’re still willing to answer those questions!