Windows Vista Pre RC1 Released

Microsoft released a new test version of the company's upcoming Windows Vista operating system. Pre RC1 is the name of the new release which highlights that we are closing in on the release candidate and then the final version of Vista.

The release is only available for a limited time and it appears as if Microsoft is also limiting downloads of the new version to 100,000 users. So, if you want to make sure you can download and test it locally, go ahead and start the download right away. It is however likely that third party software portals may offer the download as well on their sites.

Downloads are still working as of now, I tried it myself and I'm currently downloading the 2,58 GB iso file. Download is working with Firefox as well and not only Internet Explorer. Since it is quite big, I suggest you use a download manager for it so that you can resume the download if it is interrupted.

You will have to burn the ISO image to DVD before you can install it on your system. Use a program like Imgburn or Nero for that.

The complete filename of this new release is vista_5536.16385.060821-1900_vista_rc1_x86fre_client-lr1cfre_en_dvd.iso

Update: Windows Vista was released at the end of 2006 and made available worldwide in January 2007. The release came more than five years after the release of Windows XP. It is interesting to note that it took Microsoft less than three years to produce and release Windows 7, the successor of Windows Vista.

Since the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft has released two service packs for the operating system which can be downloaded from the official Microsoft Service Pack Center website. Vista users need to install the first service pack for their operating system before they can install the second, and currently, newest service pack for it. Both service packs are linked on the page, and available for 32-bit and 64-bit editions of the Windows Vista operating system.

Trial versions of Windows Vista are no longer available. They may be listed on third party sites, but Microsoft itself is only making available trial versions of their current operating system Windows 7. The Enterprise version can be downloaded from Microsoft's Evaluation Center.

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