Sharepoint 2010 – How to create a test environment for free

Sharepoint is one of the main pillars in Microsofts web/intranet strategies.   So I decided to poke around and take a look at the SharePoint 2010 Server.  I’ve had run ins with sharepoint 2007 before, but now i wanted to setup some kind “sandpit” environment on my home laptop. Now i don’t have the means to buy sharepoint or any other related software, i just wanted to play. (c:

And that is possible. The cool thing is that  Microsoft provides trail version of most of its software with astounding 180 day trail period. More then enough time you need to get acquainted with the thing.  There’s is a catch thou, to download trail software you have to be registered Microsoft- technet  user.  Of course if you are paranoid you would’t register you self, because Microsoft are evil he he,..  But no more fulling around ,.. lets get to busies ,..

Go to the http://technet.microsoft.com/ and login. If you are not a user create one here, no biggie.  When that’s done  you have to prepare the necessary software (iso files to be prefered)

• Get sharepoint 2010 from here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/ee388573.aspx
• Get windows 2008 server here  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd459137.aspx
• Get VM Virtual BOX here  https://www.virtualbox.org/
• If you have the Office pack, you can use it but it is not required (2010 is best all thou 2007  can be used with limited compatibility with SP2010 ).

Now but you will probably say VM Virtual BOX wtf.. mickrosoft has made a complete 2010 Information Worker Demonstration and Evaluation Virtual Machine (SP1) with all that you need Sahrepoint 2010, Office and windows  Server 2008 just download and use ,..  yea been there done that. But i was a bit disappointed.

Her’s a quote from the bottom of that page “The Virtual Machines contained in this package are 180 day evaluations. Additionally they will require activation, or re-arming, after a 10 day period after which they will shut down after 2 hours of continuous operation.” Not quite what i was looking for..

So start by installing  VM Virtual BOX, If you haven’t played with Virtual box before  just follow this tutorials

1. http://youtu.be/XgE4BHtLfcY
2. http://youtu.be/V4Rc-wKvIwE

By now you have installed a trial version of windows 2008 server on your VM Virtual BOX, time to proceed to installing the required software

1. (not mandatory if you just want to play) Installing Active Directory by running DCPROMO command in the start> run feature.
2. (not mandatory) Install office pack.
3. Install Sharepoint Prerequisites (this will install SQL Server and IIS)
4. Install Sharepoint Server (her’s a good tutorial )

And there you have it, a free playground at your fingertips. You could install further software to enhance your playground, like visual studio (c: