Microsoft launches Windows 7 Test Drive website.

Microsoft has launched the Windows 7 Test Drive site. This site offers developers a chance to get first-hand experience in developing for Windows 7, even if they don’t have Windows 7 installed on their development environment.

Using the Windows 7 Test Drive site, you can learn about developing on Windows 7 in a virtual environment. This experience provides the user with a guided tour of Windows 7 features from a developer’s perspective with the goal of engaging and enabling them to develop on the Windows Platform.

The idea behind the Test Drive lab is to create a very low barrier-to-entry development experience for Windows 7. It is a free tool for you to use whenever you want and requires no special software installation, besides a single ActiveX.

All you need is a Windows Live ID, a few clear hours, and a visit to the Windows 7 Test Drive for Developers to take a guided tour of Windows 7. The short virtual labs and supporting videos will give you a chance to explore Windows 7 feature by feature with no installation required.

Try out a few of the virtual labs and watch a few videos today to learn how and why you should develop on the Windows.