I noticed on the Microsoft Beta Exam Blog that the Windows 7 Beta exam has been announced. Which I am definitely looking forward too. I have been mucking around with the Beta since it’s release on and off; using it as my primary OS for around a month now. It will be a good excuse for me to stop tweaking and overclocking, and actually learn the ropes of the new OS; including improved features from Vista, which I have yet to learn to their full extent.

Here is a brief run down of the requirements to do the Beta:

71-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring

• Registration begins: April 27, 2009
• Beta exam period runs: May 5, 2009- May 18, 2009
• Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide
• Use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: WIN7J

As per usual with Beta exams, there are limited numbers of seats they will offer. It is usually quite a large ammount, but it’s first in best dressed. So if you want to do it, don’t sit about thinking about it; Do it ASAP on or after April 27. You haven’t got anything to lose except maybe some time studying and faffing about with Windows 7 (if you’re at all interested in IT, you are already doing this!); it’s free to sit and if you pass you get the full certification when it is made official (passes Beta).

Here are some links useful to learning about some new features in Windows 7, there are a bunch of features that are built on Vista features. So it would be a safe bet to have a look “new” features in Vista and learn those as a bridging aid.

Windows 7 Resources on Technet

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/dd361745.aspx

Windows 7 Resources on Microsoft Learning

http://learning.microsoft.com/manager/Catalog.aspx?clang=en-US&dtype=Catalog&Sort=PublicationDateDescending&page=1&cats=%7b11182676-d3c8-405d-bf7b-bf8604ca2c9e%7d%3a%7b166722f0-6926-4a78-82d5-cd021f777a70%7d

Windows 7 “Learning Snacks”

Implementing User Account Control in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack02/Default.html

Introducing BitLocker and AppLocker in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack03/Default.html

Desktop Experience in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack04/Default.html

Setting Up a Home Network in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack05/Default.html

Introducing the Troubleshooting Platform in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack06/Default.html

Using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool for Servicing Windows 7 Images

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/_silverlight/learningsnacks/win7/snack07/Default.html