Businesses will have a chance to test the waters before diving into Microsoft’s next operating systems, Windows 7. The software giant is inviting businesses to test their applications on Windows 7 during a free trial at Microsoft’s TechEd Conference on May 11-15 in Los Angeles.
Microsoft is offering customers a chance to register for the Windows 7 Bring Your Own Apps Lab. The lab will be free to developers and enable companies to work with Microsoft engineers on specific Windows 7 compatibility issues, Microsoft’s Yochay Kiriaty said in a blog post.
For developers worried about security and privacy, Microsoft is setting up a secure Windows 7 test platform in a private developer lab environment, according to Kiriaty. “Just bring your applications and we will load them on the test platform, and our dedicated consultants will help you investigate any application-compatibility issues and offer architectural guidance,” he wrote.
Companies need to preregister for the testing, according to Microsoft. They must register a list of developers and application names and versions that they wish to test during the 75-minute lab session.
The lab will also be open May 10, the Sunday before TechEd.
“Windows 7 release candidate should not be too far off,” said Michael Silver, vice president of research at Gartner.
Early this month, Microsoft posted a memo on the TechNet Web site showing that the company is considering May to release Windows 7 release candidate. Windows 7 RC will be available through June and Microsoft will dole out an unlimited number of download keys to users who want to test the operating system and provide feedback.
Offering such a lab to companies isn’t surprising, according to Silver. “Microsoft needs to work with independent software vendors to get them to provide supported versions of their applications in a timely basis, as this is a…