Windows Vista version RC1 issued

Lost Soal · Post by **Lost Soal** » 2006-09-02 02:58pm

Near-final Windows Vista version issued
Microsoft releases Release Candidate 1 of its next-generation operating system, which is set to release next year.
By Staff, News.com
Posted Sep 2, 2006 12:29 am GMT

Microsoft on Friday issued Release Candidate 1 of Windows Vista, a near-final test version of the oft-delayed operating system.

Retiring Windows chief Jim Allchin announced the release Friday in an e-mail to testers. In his note, which was also posted to the Windows Vista Team blog, Allchin said there are "a lot of improvements since Beta 2," which was released in May. Among the changes he highlighted are tweaks in the user interface, more device drivers and improved performance.

Work on Vista is not done, Allchin wrote. "We'll keep plugging away on application compatibility, as well as fit and finish," he wrote. He noted that software makers should use the RC1 release to certify their applications.

The software maker is shooting to wrap up development work in time to ship the operating system to large companies in November and have a mainstream launch of Vista in January.

The release candidate is available to some technical beta and corporate testers now and will be made available next week to testers that are part of Microsoft's MSDN developer network. The software released Friday is build 5600, a slight update to the test version Microsoft released in the past week to businesses that are part of an early adopter program as well as to a subset of the tech enthusiasts that have been putting Vista through its paces.

Microsoft declined to say when the consumers that have been testing Vista will get their hands on RC1. The last broadly available test version, Beta 2, was released in May.

Earlier this week, Microsoft's Canadian site accidentally leaked Vista prices--which will apparently be avaiable in a US $233 basic edition and US $269 premium package. Meanwhile, An Amazon product listing indicated the software would be available in "late" January.

Anyone here be getting this to test?

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2006-09-02 03:09pm

Tempted. >_>

Argosh · Post by **Argosh** » 2006-09-03 04:18am

Not tempted. Its not ready yet and M$ is not paying me to test it.

Pezzoni · Post by **Pezzoni** » 2006-09-03 07:48am

When it is released publicly, I'll get it, try it out, and if I feel it's sufficiently stable (and from the Pre-RC1 release I'm using now, it feels like it will be), and works with all the applications I need it to, then I'll probably try it as my day-to-day OS. I've still got WinXP on the Craptop, should I need it.

Pezzoni · Post by **Pezzoni** » 2006-09-06 08:21pm

Download it here.

I'm going to stick with 5536 until Creative release some sound card drivers (which might be a while), but then move over. The only problems I've had with the pre-RC release I'm running now is getting some Java applications to work. If they function correctly in RC1, then I'll make an attempt at using it full-time.

Dominus Atheos · Post by **Dominus Atheos** » 2006-09-06 09:19pm

Are the TV Tuners that were made for MCE going to work under Vista?

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2006-09-06 09:26pm

I'm going to wait, as I tried the 32 bit RC1 prerelease candidate last week and the system rating tool kept locking up my A64 system.
When my new laptop HD comes in next week, I might try it on my Inspiron 9300.

Darth Quorthon · Post by **Darth Quorthon** » 2006-09-07 01:49am

Has anyone installed and/or tried it yet? I downloaded it and burned it to a DVD (lost a DVD in the process because my system thought the .iso file was a winRaR archive). My understanding is that you need a key issued from Microsoft in order to install it. I'm interested in trying it, but the system rating tool seemed to think drivers aren't available for a few of my devices, including my onboard RAID controller. Guess I'll have to wait for now.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2006-09-07 03:11am

Dominus Atheos wrote:Are the TV Tuners that were made for MCE going to work under Vista?

The Home Premium and Ultimate versions of Vista have Windows Media Center software so I'd guess so.

The Home Basic has basicly nothing (no Aero, no searching, no DVD burning software, no media center, etc). The business version doesn't have any of the multimedia features (media center, DVD burning).

atg · Post by **atg** » 2006-09-07 03:17am

My understanding is that you need a key issued from Microsoft in order to install it.

Yes you need a key from them. I have one from my works Microsoft Partners pack. Not sure if you can get one from signing up to something on their website, though if you have a Beta2 key it will work with RC1.

Edward Yee · Post by **Edward Yee** » 2006-09-07 10:07am

Hmph... would give this a shot if I knew when the window of opportunity's open more than "the [Customer Preview Program] will open to new participants in the coming weeks."