Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 RC Download

Microsoft is “pleased to announce the immediate availability of the release candidate of MDT 2010.  This release contains numerous bug fixes since MDT 2010 Beta 2. MDT 2010 RC has been tested and will work with Windows 7 RTM and Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM as well as all previously supported operating systems”.

New in MDT 2010
Improvements in MDT 2010 will allow you to:

• Access deployment shares from anywhere on the network and replicate files and settings across organizational boundaries or sites.
• Organize and manage drivers, operating systems, applications, packages, and task sequences with an improved UI.
• Automate UI functionality using the Windows PowerShell command line interface.

MDT 2010 RC can be downloaded from Microsoft Connect (9.49 MB). In case you are not a member, you need to sign-up first.

The final (RTW) release of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 will be available in September 2009.

Source: The Windows Blog

Forefront Security 2010 for Exchange Server RC

In order to be in par with the Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate release, Microsoft has made available for download the new version of Forefront Security 2010 for Exchange Server:

Microsoft Forefront Security 2010 for Exchange Server provides fast and effective protection against malware and spam by including multiple scanning engines from industry-leading security partners. It also integrates with Forefront Online Security for Exchange to provide the defense-in-depth benefits of hosted and on-premise filtering in a single solution.

Source: Microsoft Download Center

Exchange Server 2010 RC released

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate has just been released at the TechNet Evaluation Center:

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 RC helps you achieve new levels of reliability and performance by delivering features that simplify your administration, protect your communications, and delight your users by meeting their demands for greater business mobility. And when you download the latest software, you're automatically registered to access valuable product resources assembled in one convenient location.

Please review the Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 system requirements before you proceed. Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on your system configuration.

Source: TechNet Evaluation Center

Office 2010 Beta Screenshots - Backstage View Updated

As Microsoft prepares for the upcoming Beta of Office 2010 this fall, some Technical Preview feedback has already been incorporated into new interim builds.

Microsoft has released some screenshots from a pre-beta build, focusing on the Backstage View UI changes.

Technical Preview:

Beta (coming later this fall):

 Continue to the source to see more.

Source: Microsoft Office 2010 Engineering

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 - August CTP Download

The August CTP of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (formerly known as SQL Server Code-Named “Kilimanjaro”) will be available to the general public on Wednesday, August 12^th. If you are an MSDN or TechNet Plus subscriber, you can access the download today:

TechNet Plus Subscribers

MSDN Subscribers

SQL Server 2008 R2 expands on the value delivered in SQL Server 2008 by providing a wealth of new features and capabilities that can benefit your entire organization. Our newest SQL Server version is designed to improve IT efficiency with new and enhanced management capabilities, capitalize on hardware innovation, and empower business users to access, integrate, analyze and share information using familiar business intelligence tools.

Why should I download the CTP?

• Explore the enhanced database management capabilities in SQL Server Management Studio.
• Preview SQL Server StreamInsight, Microsoft’s new complex event processing technology.
• Be the first in your organization to run SQL Server on more than 64 processor cores.
• Provide early feedback to the development team.

Books Online for SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP August 2009 is publicly available (SQLServerR2BOLAug2009.msi, 154.8 MB)

Source: TechNet Evaluation Center

Windows 7 RTM released on TechNet

The wait is over for TechNet and MSDN Subscribers as well as ISVs (Independent software vendor) and IHVs (Independent hardware vendor) who can as of now download Windows 7 RTM.

A screenshot of TechNet Downloads hosting Windows 7 RTM:

Windows Live Events retiring in 2010

Starting in early September, 2009, you won’t be able to create new events using Windows Live Events. You’ll still be able to access and edit your existing events until 2010, and we encourage you to save your photos and files from your existing events before then. In 2010 you will no longer be able to get to any of your old events, and you won’t be able to download and save old event photos and videos.

You can use Windows Live Calendar to create, plan, and manage events and invite friends and family all from one place—and you don’t need to wait for Windows Live Events to retire! You can check out these step–by-step instructions to see how easy it is to create an event in Calendar.

Source: Windows Live Wire