I think we might be getting near the home straight // MSDN Flash 6 May 2009

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Editorial from this week's MSDN Flash Editorial - Subscribe NOW and get the chance to win a HP TouchSmart PC!

 

I think we might be getting near the home straight.

Windows 7 Release Candidate

As you are probably now well aware, the Windows 7 Release Candidate is available for download. If you are an MSDN or TechNet subscriber you can download it from the subscriber downloads site (you can also get an updated Windows 7 Software Development Kit with loads of samples from the same place). It is also available for general download at the Windows site on Microsoft.com.

If you have been running the Beta (build 7000) you will need to back up your data and perform a clean installation of the Release Candidate (see the Engineering Windows 7 blog post here to understand why we are asking you to take this step).

If you are currently testing the Windows 7 Beta, you will need to upgrade to the Release Candidate before the Beta expires on July 1st.

We have just taken delivery of a HP tx2 TouchSmart Tablet PC, which is multi-touch capable, to start working on some demos for our upcoming MSDN UNPLUGGED sessions (much easier to carry around than the TouchSmart Desktop PC too). It really is amazing being able to interact with applications using touch, pen or keyboard.

To learn more about new developer features in Windows 7 you can start with the MSDN Windows Developer Centre. Also check out the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Application Quality Cookbook which describes how to make sure your applications are compatible and perform well on Windows 7 (and Windows Server 2008 R2 as well).

There's Windows 7 content appearing on Channel 9 as well. Don't forget to register for our MSDN UNPLUGGED sessions in May to learn more about developing for Windows 7. We're looking forward to getting out and talking about it.

UNPLUGGED Events - 25 May to 5 June 2009
Registrations for our next round of UNPLUGGED sessions are open here. There are both Developer and IT Pro sessions at all the centres (7 of them) we are visiting this time. Topics are Windows 7 (developer and IT Pro), Windows Server 2008 R2 (IT pro), Silverlight 3 and Internet Explorer 8 (developer). Register soon as some locations may have limited availability.

Thanks for reading! Until next time.

Mike Zeff
ISV Developer Advisor
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