Today Microsoft released the Release Candidate (RC) of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to the public. This RC signals the last public beta build to be released prior to the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) final release. As previously announced, the only new features added to the SP1 are the Windows Server 2008 R2-related virtualization technologies, Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX.

Microsoft RemoteFX introduces a new set of remote user experience capabilities that enable a media-rich user environment for virtual and session-based desktops. RemoteFX can be deployed to a range of thick and thin client devices, enabling local-like access to graphics-intensive applications. RemoteFX also supports an array of USB peripherals.

SP1 also includes Dynamic Memory, which enables servers running Hyper-V for server virtualization, to be more efficient in the use of memory. Dynamic Memory pools and distributes memory among the virtual machines running on a physical host, enabling higher consolidation ratios, increasing server utilization rates, and providing more flexible workload management. Furthermore, memory is dynamically added based on the demands of the current workloads and without service interruption.

These features will help Microsoft's customers who choose to deploy Windows through Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) by enabling a more scalable and rich user experience.

While Windows 7 SP1 will enable PCs to take advantage of these server-based features to provide a more scalable and richer VDI experience for end users, there are no additional new features specific to Windows 7.

You can download the RC of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 by clicking here.