Time for an update on the VHD Test Drive program.

The current program was launched in November 2007. It comes in 2 flavors. The first part allows customers to download and test preinstalled and preconfigured virtual machines from Microsoft via MSDN and TechNet. The images can be used as-is under the terms and conditions of the MSDN or TechNet subscription licenses.

The other part of the program is targeting the Microsoft ISV partners. Microsoft provides a set of images - similar to the ones available via MSDN and TechNet - for registered Microsoft partners for download via Microsoft Connect. These images can then be enhanced by Microsoft partners with their own applications and solutions. The partners in turn can redistribute their enhanced images to their customers and prospects for test and evaluation.

In order for partners to participate in the program they must sign a license agreement with Microsoft. After a registered Microsoft partner has signed the license agreement, we will enable access to the images on Microsoft Connect. Partner can download any image they need, install their solution and redistribute it. The program is free of charge for participants.

The program is designed for Microsoft virtualization host solutions Virtual PC, Virtual Server and Hyper-V.

Below the list of currently available images:

Windows Server 2003 R2 EE (SERVER BASE)

• Windows Vista EE (CLIENT BASE)
• (Server Base) + SQL Server 2005 EE
• (Server Base) + SQL Server 2005 EE + Exchange Server 2007
• (Server Base) + Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2006 Standard Edition
• (Server Base) + Exchange Server 2007 + Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 with SP1 Standard Edition
• (Server Base) + Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007 Beta 2
• (Server Base) + System Center Essentials 2007 + SQL Server 2005 Express Advanced
• (Server Base) + Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite + Microsoft Team Foundation Server + SQL Server 2003 EE
• (Server Base) + Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 + Microsoft Visio 2007 + Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007 + Microsoft Office SharePoint Server + SQL Server 2005 EE
• (Client Base) + Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite
• (Client Base) + Office 2007 Pro
• Windows 2003 + Exchange 2007 SP1 Beta 2
• Windows 2003 + BizTalk 2006

We are working on providing additional images! Some partners decided to have their participation listed on the Microsoft program website.

If you need for information or want to obtain the license agreement and in-depth technical details, send email to vhdinfo@microsoft.com.