Windows 7 News: Software, Virus Protection

TechNet Magazine is relaunching its popular Tip of the Day feature, starting with a look at the best tips and tricks for Windows 7. Now we want to hear from you. Have a special workaround, tweak, or fix you’d like to contribute to the TechNet Magazine tips library? Just visit
www.technetmagazinetips.com
to share your tips and tricks for Windows 7.

Until now there were a couple of ways to determine if your applications were compatible with Windows 7 – you can test everything, look them up one-by-one in the Windows Compatibility Center, or inventory your production machines using the Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5 and synchronize your inventory with hosted compatibility data from Microsoft and ISVs. For about a year, we’ve been posting regular updates to the Windows Vista Application Compatibility List for IT pros and even though compatibility between Windows Vista and Windows 7 is pretty high, there has still …

When it comes to optimizing and really advancing the personal entertainment experience on the PC, Microsoft and Dolby Laboratories share a history of improving the integrity of audio playback. The collaboration between the two companies started when they began working together to enhance audio delivery for the Xbox in 2001. After this design was completed, Microsoft extended its usage of Dolby audio technology in Windows Media Center. This work continued with Windows Vista, which was launched worldwide in January 2007. The evolution of these shared efforts is realized in Windows …

Microsoft has already made available the RTM version of Windows 7 on TechNet and MSDN,today Microsoft has made available the trial version of Windows 7 enterprise for the IT professionals.
A few things to be aware of before you download the Evaluation code.

A limited number of licenses are available, so the download will only be available while supplies last.
Following the 90 day evaluation period, IT Pros who wish to continue to use Windows 7 Enterprise will be required to purchase and perform a clean installation of Windows 7, including …

Last month we made Windows 7 available to customers with Software Assurance and to MSDN and TechNet Subscribers. Today I am happy to announce two more ways for businesses to get Windows 7 for their deployment and evaluation.
Volume License Availability, at a Discount Starting today, businesses can order upgrades to Windows 7 from a Microsoft Volume License Reseller. This option is for businesses that don’t already have Windows Software Assurance and want to upgrade their existing business PCs to Windows 7. There are two editions …

Finally Windows 7 RTM is available for download on MSDN and Technet

Wave 1 (August 6th):
o All Windows 7 Client (x86 and x64) Retail and VL Editions – English only
o Language packs, WAIKs, WDKs, SDKs, and Symbols – in all available languages
· Wave 2 (August 14th):
o Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, Itanium (x64 and ia64) – English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese
o All Windows 7 Client (x86 and x64) Retail and VL Editions – French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese
o Checked builds – English
· Wave …

With Windows Anytime Upgrade (or WAU), we make it super easy and convenient for the small number of customers who’s PC needs evolve to need a higher edition of Windows 7.

Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium: $79.99
Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional: $89.99 Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate: $139.99*

The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available starting on October 22nd until supplies last here in the US and other select markets. In the US, the price for …

Just after the leak of Windows 7 RTM,Windows Server 2008 R2 has been leaked and is available for download on various torrent sites.
Here are the details of the build
MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.SERVER.2008.R2.RTM.X64.OEM.ENGLISH.DVD 7600.16385.090713-1255_x64fre_server_en-us_OEM-GRMSXFREO_EN_DVD.iso SIZE: 2,996,783,104 byte SHA1: 515A9E7F4C7DF41AACA6872CB806DABD15BF7D64 MD5: 4FFB420543F5A9265BE5EEDB6C4E55A2 CRC: 137A659F
Search terms:515a9e7f4c7df41aaca6872cb806dabd15bf7d64 (2)GRMSXFREO_EN_DVD iso md5 (2)7600 16385 090713-1255_x64fre_server_en-us_OEM-GRMSXFREO_EN_DVD iso (1)

I am pleased to announce that Windows 7 has RTM’d!
As I mentioned previously, RTM officially happens only after sign-off occurs. What happens is a build gets designated as a RTM contender after going through significant testing and meeting our quality bar for RTM. Then, it goes though all the validation checks required for RTM including having all languages of that build completed. If all the validation checks have passed – sign-off for RTM can occur. Today after all the validation checks were met, we signed off and declared build 7600 …

While I have nothing new to add regarding RTM today, I do however have more precise information to give on when you will be able to get RTM. Again, when you can get RTM depends on who you are.
For Partners & OEMs:
ISV (Independent software vendor) and IHV (Independent hardware vendor) Partners will be able to download Windows 7 RTM from Microsoft Connect or MSDN on August 6th. There is already a lot of momentum from ISVs and IHVs in the ecosystem today for Windows 7 as Mike Nash …