Among the most "interesting aspects" of the feature pack, according to Allred, are:
- New embedded enabling features (EEF) such as file based write filter and registry filter
- Native USB boot capability
- Enhancements to the Enhanced Write Filter (EWF) and Hibernate Once Resume Many (HORM) functions
- Several requested bug fixes to tools such as the Target Designer, CMI, Import Framework, and SLX/XML usability
- A New command line tool that replicates Target Designer and allows builds to be implemented in scripts
- "Tons of work" on component dependencies to reduce footprint, including removing dependencies to the full Internet Explorer component
- New components added to the database to address more "application compatibility challenges"
- New macro components to allow installation of other Microsoft technologies in the runtime
- All security patches for XPe-SP2 rolled up to the Feature Pack repository
The Windows XPe team has invited developers to participate in a pre-release program on the
Microsoft Connect web site. Allred says that Microsoft Connect allows users to communicate with Microsoft developers, product managers, and other development team members to help improve the company's products. To participate in the pre-release program:
- Click Invitations on the Connect menu at Microsoft Connect
- Enter a valid Windows Live ID, to continue to the Invitations page
- Enter the Invitation ID, "123-BC7M-6GVK," in the box, and click Go
- Users who have not previously registered with Microsoft Connect may be required to register before continuing
- The final step is to complete a User Profile survey for the program
The Community Technology Preview of Feature Pack 2007 will be available on August 1 to those who sign up to participate on Microsoft Connect, Allred says. More information may be found in Allred's
complete blog entry about the feature pack.
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