MDT 2012 Beta 1 and MAP 6.0 Beta Now Available

I am very excited to announce the release of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012 Beta 1. For those of you who saw me at TechEd or on the Springboard Series Tour demonstrate the power of MDT, you know that this is a great tool and in this newest release, we have made it even better. I upgraded to the new version today and I have to say it was a very smooth upgrade to move from MDT 2010 to the new MDT 2012 Beta 1.

So what is new in MDT 2012 Beta 1?

Support Configuration Manager 2012 Beta 2 OS deployment
Integrate MDT 2012 Beta 1 into the Configuration Manager 2012 console. Update MDT task sequences to support ConfigMgr 2012. Add support for new ConfigMgr 2012 features.

Add support for new operating systems
Add support for Windows ThinPC and Windows POSReady 7.

Support UEFI deployments
Enable MDT to deploy operating systems to computers that use the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) BIOS replacement.

“Deploy to VHD” support
New task sequence templates have been added to support deploying a Windows 7 image into a VHD that is then configured so that the computer will boot from the VHD.

Improve partitioning logic
Deploy Windows using the Windows AIK-recommended partitioning schemes, while ensuring that any existing scheme continues to work as expected.

Wizard look-and-feel enhancements
Update the Lite Touch wizards to provide an improved appearance.

Improve user state migration logic
Enhance the user state migration process to provide additional flexibility.
Ready to try it out for yourself? Head on over to Connect to sign up and download the MDT 2012 Beta 1. (Windows Live ID required) and please let us know what you think.

Easier Windows 7 Migration with MAP 6.0 Beta
Windows 7 deployment planning just got easier with the latest Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit release. Now updated to include Internet Explorer 9 compatibility assessment, MAP 6.0 Beta identifies web browser compatibility issues prior to deployment to give you the insight you need to plan a smooth Windows 7 migration. Join the MAP 6.0 Beta Program today and test drive this tool for easier Windows 7 migration planning.

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