Redmond (WA) - Microsoft is now offering a 30-day evaluation version of Vista for virtual machines. This "VHD" image file of Vista is meant for use inside of Microsoft’s Virtual PC or Virtual Server and can be downloaded after answering about a dozen questions.

According to Microsoft, the image file is for organizations with "complex desktop infrastructures" to test whether the new features in Vista will work. Many companies have put off upgrading to Vista because of perceived incompatibility problems. You can test out Windows Vista VHD by click Microsoft says the image will use around 10 GB of hard drive space and 1024 MB of RAM. The download weighs in at 232.7 to 1632.7 megabytes.