Friday, 6 October 2006

Windows Vista RC2 Readying for a Friday Release

Microsoft will ship the final pre-release version of Windows Vista on Friday and will name the new version Release Candidate 2 (RC2). RC2 is a standard interim build of Vista, but unlike RC1, it won't be distributed to millions of users.

The RC2 build is 5743, and Microsoft is currently testing it internally. As with the previous interim build, 5728, RC2 will go to beta testers, Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet subscribers, and a random, limited number of Consumer Preview Program (CPP) members.

Microsoft wouldn't confirm the specifics of the release, but the company did corroborate that it's planning an upcoming interim Vista build. "As we have previously discussed, Microsoft does plan to deliver more interim builds of Windows Vista before releasing the final product," a Microsoft spokesperson told me. "The exact name of the build and the date of its release have not been announced."