Taking a significant stride towards the future of application development, Tech giant Microsoft has recently unveiled a sophisticated and enhanced set of virtual machines (VMs) tailor-made for Windows 11. This carefully designed innovation is a result of Microsoft‘s continued commitment to providing a robust and flexible environment for developers. As the world of software development continues to evolve rapidly, these virtual machines come as a powerful tool for developers looking to harness the full potential of Windows 11.
This advanced set of virtual machines is a key element of the latest Windows 11 Development Environment (WDE), an initiative by Microsoft that aims to streamline and enhance the process of creating new applications. The WDE showcases Microsoft‘s vision of fostering a more dynamic, flexible, and inclusive developer ecosystem. It provides a perfect platform for developers to experiment, innovate, and bring their ideas to life.
In an effort to make this technology accessible to developers worldwide, Microsoft has made this groundbreaking Windows 11 Development Environment available at no cost. Developers across the globe can now freely access and make use of this state-of-the-art development platform. All they need to do is visit the official Microsoft website where they can find the necessary resources and guides to get started.
Microsoft’s official website serves as a hub of information and a gateway to this advanced development environment. It’s not only a platform to download the latest software but also a valuable resource offering extensive documentation, developer guides, and community forums to help developers navigate their way through the exciting landscape of Windows 11 application development. By making the Windows 11 Development Environment readily available and easily accessible, Microsoft is inviting developers to push the boundaries of innovation and create applications that can shape the future of Windows 11.
Functionality and Features of the Microsoft Windows 11 Development Environment
Microsoft’s WDE version 2307 utilizes free virtual machines as a conducive platform for developers, assisting them in swiftly creating applications that can work efficiently on the Windows operating system. These virtual machines are fully equipped with several development-focused components and applications:
- Windows 11 Enterprise (Evaluation)
- Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 with Ubuntu installed
- Developer mode enabled
- Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition with UWP, .NET Desktop, Azure, and Windows App SDK for C# workloads enabled
- Windows Terminal installed
Microsoft‘s latest virtual machine setup is based on the Windows 11 build 22621.1992, the most recent stable channel release, as updated on July 11, 2023, through the monthly Patch Tuesday update.
Key Information about Microsoft Windows 11 Development Environment
Important to note is that the Windows 11 Development Environment comprises a series of virtual machines that can be employed free for a 90-day trial period. It is an evaluation-only setup; therefore, activation of these virtual machines is not possible.
As stated on Microsoft‘s official website, the WDE version 2307 is scheduled to expire on October 10, 2023. Post this date, the activation of Windows will necessitate a genuine key, or an update to a more recent WDE version will be required.
Microsoft provided more details regarding the use of virtual machines: “If the evaluation period expires, the desktop background will turn black, you will see a persistent desktop notification indicating that the system is not genuine, and the PC will shut down every hour.”
Microsoft Virtualization Software Options and Requirements for Windows 11 Virtual Machines
The Windows 11 virtual machines are compatible with four different virtualization software options: VMWare (both workstation and player), Hyper-V (Gen2), VirtualBox, and Parallels. However, it is crucial to mention that there is no ARM version for Parallels.
By downloading the WDE in any of the previously mentioned formats, users can easily establish a Windows 11 virtual machine within a few steps.
It is necessary to have at least 8GB of RAM and a minimum of 70GB of disk space to download one of Microsoft‘s Windows 11 virtual machines. For more detailed information and to download the official Windows 11 virtual machines, visit the Windows Developer Center.
Conclusion
Microsoft‘s latest Windows 11 virtual machines bring forward a new set of development opportunities for developers. With an evaluation period and user-friendly virtualization options, they offer an easily accessible and efficient platform for application development. Despite the expiration and activation limitations, their utility remains quite impressive, ensuring an intriguing exploration into the world of Windows 11 development.
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