Released: Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1: Beta

The Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1: Beta is now available on the Microsoft Download Center.  The Windows SDK provides Windows 7 (Beta) headers and libraries, documentation, samples, and tools designed to help you develop Windows applications using native (Win32) and/or managed (.NET Framework) technologies.

Platforms:

This SDK release supports Windows 7 Beta,  Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta,  Windows Server 2008, .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1, Windows Vista SP1, Windows Server 2003 R2 and Windows XP.

Visual Studio compatibility:

This SDK release is compatible with Visual Studio 2008 SP1; including Visual Studio Express Editions.   This SDK includes the VC++ 2008 AP1 compilers, which also ship in Visual Studio 2008 SP1.

What’s new and improved:

· Documentation

· New Windows 7 Developer Guide and Quality cookbook

· 28% of the documents were updated

· Samples

· Nearly 250 Win32 samples added and refreshed

· Managed samples were updated for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

· Headers/libraries – Over 100 new headers and libraries added (which can be used with Visual Studio 2008 SP1)

· Tools – 7 new tools added

· Visual Studio 2008 SP1 C++ command line compiler toolset and matching CRT

· The Windows SDK Configuration Tool has been fixed (and can be used with the Windows SDK for Server 2008)

Learn More:

Read the Windows SDK blog and the Windows SDK MSDN Developer Center over the coming weeks for more information about the Windows SDK.  As always, please read the Release Notes for a description of known issues before you install the SDK.

Tell us what you think:

Send your thoughts to the Windows SDK Feedback alias.  Tell us how you use the SDK and what we can do to make your life easier.