Microsoft has finally released a public beta of its Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation (MED-V) 2.0 software. The company said that large businesses could migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7 in a virtualised hen house using the MED-V tool.

“For enterprises looking to migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7, MED-V provides that necessary business continuity. Businesses are able to deploy Windows 7 now and retain access to legacy lines of business applications that require Windows XP,” said a representative from the company.

“This is important because MED-V managed legacy applications appear to the user as ordinary Windows 7 applications, but they actually run inside a seamless, IT-managed Windows XP virtual workspaces.”

The final version of the software is expected in the first half of 2011. The beta, which can be downloaded here, comes loaded with better deployment, management and usage features.