Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta Evaluation Enterprise Edition and Server Core Virtual Hard Drive Images (for Hyper-V).
The Microsoft VHD format is the common virtualization file format for Hyper-V that provides a uniform product support system, and provides more seamless manageability, security, reliability and cost-efficiency for customers.
This VHD release is available in English only and is for evaluation and testing purposes. The VHD images are current set to expire to on August 1st (at which time the OS will become inoperable.
As this installation requires Hyper-V, you will need to have a base install of Windows Server 2008 (64bit edition) or Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta, running Hyper-V. For more information on obtaining and installing the latest version of Hyper-V, please visit the Hyper-V Homepage.
Both virtual machines available here are running Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition Evaluation. One is the default full installation, and the other has been configured as a default Core installation. For more information on the difference between full and core installation please see the Windows Server 2008 Editions Overview pages. For download options please see the IMAGE SELECTION section in the instructions below.
As both virtual machines do not have anti-virus installed, they should not be connected to any network until it has anti-virus installed. In addition, the operating system and programs installed were patched with all updates as of May 8, 2008.