Windows 7 Server (Windows Server 2008 R2) Beta Download Links

Are live on TechNet and MSDN

The Beta for Windows 7 Server (Windows Server 2008 R2) was introduced concomitantly with the Beta for the Windows 7 client on January 7, 2009. However, while the successor of Windows Vista is grabbing the spotlight, the evolution of Windows Server 2008 is also a consistent step forward for Microsoft. Downloads of Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta are now, and have been for some time, live on TechNet and MSDN. Of course, just as it is the case with the Windows 7 client, the Beta for the Windows 7 Server is only available to TechNet Plus and MSDN subscribers, and only in English.

“Ok, Windows 7 had it’s day in the sun. Time to move over for big brother Windows Server 2008 R2, which was also released in Beta form [on January 7, 2009]. For months, you’ve been asking for closer feature parity with ESX. This beta has some code I’m sure you’re going to want to test. I don’t know if we’ve wrapped any specific branding around the feature name, so if you think of something snazzy, let me know. TechNet subscribers can download the goods right now,” Microsoft Evanghelist Keith Combs revealed.

Both MSDN and TechNet Plus subscribers have access to the same three core releases of Windows 7 Server Beta: Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta for Itanium Based Systems (ia64) - DVD (English) (en_windows_server_2008_r2_beta_for_itanium_based_systems_dvd_ia64_x15-29173.iso - SHA1: CD57C68F8EABF4DB81FD51CFBE076C6A69582328), Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter, Enterprise, and Standard Beta (x64) - DVD (English) (en_windows_server_2008_r2_datacenter_enterprise_standard_beta_dvd_x64_x15-29167.iso - SHA1: D6E920581DC1E4FB647F4C60145988A0C4B162A0), and Windows Web Server 2008 R2 Beta (x64) - DVD (English) (en_windows_web_server_2008_r2_beta_dvd_x64_x15-29169.iso - SHA1: B618CE5F226178B877C0D6EDA02B7B8A606C29D1).

The difference is that via MSDN subscribers can also grab a couple of checked beta builds of Windows 7 Server, namely Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta for Itanium Based Systems Checked Build (ia64) - DVD (English)(en_windows_server_2008_r2_beta_for_itanium_based_systems_checked_build_dvd_ia64_x15-29120.iso - SHA1: FC8809513028EA7E1651D84765BB9D22EB50DF9A) and Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter, Enterprise, and Standard Beta Checked Build (x64) - DVD (English) (en_windows_server_2008_r2_datacenter_enterprise_standard_beta_checked_build_dvd_x64_x15-29118.iso - SHA1: CFD48CC88A36948EB6E8857E1934DA044EFF2A7A).

“New Hyper-V features include (not limited to): Live Migration, Improved Power Management (Core Parking/Timer Coalescing), Hot-Add/Remove of SCSI Disks, Native VHD Integration (Diskmgr/Diskpart can create/mount VHDs), Jumbo Frame Support, Performance Improvements, Deducted Guest External Networks, 32 Core Support, and there are more that I am forgetting I am sure… I should say this is beta – these features are subject to change. Over the next month or so I, as well as many others around the team, will be posting information about new features and how they are used so look forward to that,” Taylor Brown, a test lead for the Windows Core OS Division working on Hyper-V (virtual machines), stated.


Windows Server 2008 Beta (Windows 7 Server) is now available for download to the general public. Microsoft is offering the following ISO images 7000.0.081212-1400_server_en-us-GB1SXFRE_EN_DVD.iso (2850.0 MB); (7000.0.081212-1400_serverenterpriseia64_en-us-GB1SIAIFRE_EN_DVD.iso (2512.2 MB); and 7000.0.081212-1400_serverweb_en-us-GB1WXFRE_EN_DVD.iso (2724.3 MB).




“This software is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating any version of Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta software does not require product activation or entering a product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta may be installed without activation and evaluated for an initial 30 days. If you need more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta, the initial 30 day evaluation can be extended to August 1st (at which time the OS will become inoperable) by entering the product key below for you selected edition,” Microsoft stated.




Here are the Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta Product Keys for Evaluation:




Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta Enterprise (7000.0.081212-1400_server_en-us-GB1SXFRE_EN_DVD.iso)

TFGPQ-J9267-T3R9G-99P7B-HXG47




Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta Standard (7000.0.081212-1400_server_en-us-GB1SXFRE_EN_DVD.iso)

2T88R-MBH2C-M7V97-9HVDW-VXTGF




Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta Datacenter (7000.0.081212-1400_server_en-us-GB1SXFRE_EN_DVD.iso)

GQJJW-4RPC9-VGW22-6VTKV-7MCC6




Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta for Itanium Based Systems (7000.0.081212-1400_serverenterprise64_en-us-GB1SIAIFRE_EN_DVD.iso)

CQ936-9K2T8-6GPRX-3JR9T-JF4CJ




Windows Web Server 2008 R2 Beta (7000.0.081212-1400_serverweb_en-us-GB1WXFRE_EN_DVD.iso)

GT8BY-FRKHB-7PB8W-GQ7YF-3DXJ6




Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta (Windows 7 Server Beta) is available for download here.

Windows 7 Beta is available for download here.