Windows Feature Pack for Storage

Microsoft's "Feature Pack" blitz continues. This one will include, among other things, support for Blu-Ray content. Note, of course, that this won't be something you download and install manually. Instead, it will ship with whatever hardware devices in the future. Welcome to the Microsoft Connect web site for the Windows Feature Pack for Storage. Please read the Welcome Document Announcement first. This will give you required installation instructions as well as great information on known issues and testing scenarios . There are also instructions on how to file a bug available for you. This beta contains downloads for the 3 technologies below for the following operating systems: Windows Vista, Windows Vista SP1,Windows Server 2008, Windows XP SP2+, Windows Server 2003 SP1+.  Smartcard on XP is only available in 32 bit. There are 3 technologies available for this  Pre-Release- Each will have its own installer : · Active Storage Platform: This pre-release package enables the Windows platform to restrict access to portable devices (such as a USB Flash Device) via a certificate or password authentication based on the IEEE 1667 standard specification. · Image Mastering API update for Blu-Ray media: This feature enables the Windows platform to do master style optical burning on Blu-Ray media. · Smart Card Driver: This release provides support for new form factors, such as ICCD/CCID. Important thing to note, some of these technologies require new hardware that may not be available. The beta is being released in order to get coverage on any legacy scenarios and install/uninstall scenarios.

Paul Thurrott

August 19, 2008

1 Min Read
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Microsoft's "Feature Pack" blitz continues. This one will include, among other things, support for Blu-Ray content. Note, of course, that this won't be something you download and install manually. Instead, it will ship with whatever hardware devices in the future.

Welcome to the Microsoft Connect web site for the Windows Feature Pack for Storage.

Please read the Welcome Document Announcement first. This will give you required installation instructions as well as great information on known issues and testing scenarios. There are also instructions on how to file a bug available for you.

This beta contains downloads for the 3 technologies below for the following operating systems: Windows Vista, Windows Vista SP1,Windows Server 2008, Windows XP SP2+, Windows Server 2003 SP1+.  Smartcard on XP is only available in 32 bit.

There are 3 technologies available for this  Pre-Release-Each will have its own installer:

· Active Storage Platform: This pre-release package enables the Windows platform to restrict access to portable devices (such as a USB Flash Device) via a certificate or password authentication based on the IEEE 1667 standard specification.

· Image Mastering API update for Blu-Ray media: This feature enables the Windows platform to do master style optical burning on Blu-Ray media.

· Smart Card Driver: This release provides support for new form factors, such as ICCD/CCID.

Important thing to note, some of these technologies require new hardware that may not be available. The beta is being released in order to get coverage on any legacy scenarios and install/uninstall scenarios.

About the Author

Paul Thurrott

Paul Thurrott is senior technical analyst for Windows IT Pro. He writes the SuperSite for Windows, a weekly editorial for Windows IT Pro UPDATE, and a daily Windows news and information newsletter called WinInfo Daily UPDATE.

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