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Windows Server "Longhorn" Beta 3 is here!

Time: 07:12 EST/12:12 GMT | News Source: ActiveWin.com | Posted By: Robert Stein

We are pleased to announce the release of Windows Server Code Name "Longhorn" Beta 3! This milestone release represents significant progress incorporating the feedback we received from you. We ask that you please install this build as soon as possible and provide feedback. Now is the time more than ever to find and report issues and give us the best chance to incorporate your feedback into the product.

This release is available as a download only. The images posted are DVD images and the recommended approach is to download and burn a DVD appropriate for your hardware. Your testing and feedback on Windows Server Code Named "Longhorn" contributed to the quality of Beta 3 and is much appreciated. We are excited for you to see the great work our product team has done, and we very much look forward to your feedback on this build as we make a significant step toward the final release.

You should use your existing key from the key package "Beta 2 Enterprise Server (v.5384) and Up Including v6001-16497-070330-1720". You may obtain separate keys for the Windows Server "Longhorn" Web Server SKU on Connect.
Please do NOT perform a PID-less installation as it prevents us from getting the data we need to determine installation coverage

Other images include the following. The full list of Beta 3 images can be found on Connect downloads (https://connect.microsoft.com/downloads/downloads.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0&siteid=4):

Windows Server "Longhorn" (x86 and x64) in German, and Japanese
Windows Server "Longhorn" Web Server (x86 and x64) in German, and Japanese
IA64
Windows Driver Kit and Windows AIK in English, German, and Japanese
Language Packs (x86 and x64) for English, German, and Japanese
SDK
Symbols
Checked builds (x86 and x64)

Summary of Cool Features: These are some of the features that everyone's excited about for Beta 3. It's by no means a complete list, but it illustrates how much innovation is built into Beta 3.

PowerShell - *new* for beta 3 - powerful scripting.
Dynamic Partitioning - *new* for beta 3 - allocate resources on the fly.
Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 - next gen web and app platform
Server Core - more roles, low footprint, no GUI!
Terminal Services Gateway - access your apps without RASing in.
Failover Clustering - improved cluster management, security, and stability
Network Access Protection - keep your network safe from un-healthy clients.
Next Generation TCP/IP Protocol - built for speed.
Server Manager - setup, config, and manage server roles and features in one place.
Native UEFI 2.0 support - *new* for beta 3 - EFI support for OEMs.
Read-Only Domain Controller - branch office DCs
Distributed File System Replication Service (DFS-R) - fast replication
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)

Thank you again for your continued and valued participation in the Windows Server "Longhorn" Beta! Best regards, The Windows Beta Team