Microsoft advances with Windows 7 SP1

Microsoft has begun beta testing for the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack (SP1) release.

The company said that it was accepting registration requests from advanced users wishing to try the first beta versions of the pack, which will contain cumulative security updates as well as new features.

Among the additions to Windows 7 and Server 2008 Microsoft has planned is RemoteFX. The virtualisation tool will allow administrators to deliver improved 3D graphics on virtualised desktop systems and remote worker devices. Additionally, the company is offering a server memory management tool named Dynamic Memory.

Microsoft had previously set July as the target date for the update to begin beta testing.

While the release will be available to some users, Microsoft is warning that the service pack is not yet ready for many users. The beta release will not be offered to home systems and will contain no new components for end-user systems. The company said that the release is not supported.

The release comes as Microsoft is making news with another of its platforms. The company unveiled an update to its Azure offering which would target server-based cloud computing deployments.