Vista: The Return, Day Two
I can only describe my full-time return to Windows Vista as an experience in increasing friction.
windows -
comments -
17.9.2008 Public Vista SP1 RC in a Few Days - XP SP3 RC Next?
Yes, we have come quite a long way since the initial introduction of the pre-beta releases of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 to a limited pool of testers, in mid July.
windows -
comments -
6.12.2007 Vista SP1 RC Refresh Ships – Windows XP SP3 RC Refresh Next?
Should you hold your breath for a new version of Windows XP SP3? Currently, Microsoft has opened up the testing process of the third and final service pack for Windows XP, and, now, all users of the operating system have access to the first Release Candidate of the refresh, as of late 2007.
windows -
comments -
10.1.2008 All New XP SP3 RC Refresh 2 and Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2 Available for Download
Making headway with the development of Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Microsoft has made available new builds of both service packs.
windows -
comments -
25.1.2008 Download Windows 7 XP Mode RC and Virtual PC RC
Redmond-based software giant Microsoft made available the release candidate flavor of Windows 7’s XP Mode add-on on Tuesday. The beta iteration of XP Mode was released on April 30, along with the beta variant of Windows Virtual PC, and the RC version comes as another step the company is taking towards launching the final iteration of the add-on.
download -
comments -
5.8.2009 Notable Changes in Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC and Windows Vista SP2 RC
Microsoft® continuously improves the Windows Vista® and Windows Server® 2008 operating systems by providing ongoing updates while working with software and hardware vendors to help them deliver improved compatibility, reliability, and performance. These updates are provided to customers by Microsoft’s hardware and software partners, as well as directly from Microsoft in the form of regularly distributed updates delivered via Windows Update. Updates to Windows are also delivered directly to some affected customers and preinstalled by PC manufacturers.
windows -
comments -
1.3.2009 Windows Vista SP1 RC released to public
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC is now available through Windows Update. Experience the WU based Vista SP1 installation by following 4 simple steps. Windows Vista SP1 RC distributed through Windows Update will be applicable to Windows Vista machines that are running on any of the 36 languages supported by Vista RTM.
download -
comments -
12.12.2007 Windows Vista SP2 RC official downloads
The download pages and TechNet website are now updated with the SP2 RC information.
download -
comments -
4.3.2009 Windows Vista Pre-RC 1 (Release Candidate) - Preview
Andre of Activewin.com has just posted his 21-page Microsoft Windows Vista Pre-RC 1 preview (Builds 5472 and 5536). In the preview, he discusses load times, installation times, an array of features (IE 7, multimedia, advanced, etc.) and much more. Included are over 20 screenshots. Below is an excerpt:
windows -
comments -
30.8.2006 A Software Compatibility List for Microsoft Windows Vista RC 1
Iexbeta has a nic Wiki page with a huge list of software and its compatibility with Windows Vista.
windows -
comments -
29.9.2006 Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate RC Available for Download
Making headway with the development of the first service pack for Windows Vista, Microsoft has made available for download a new testing milestone of the refresh. On November 14, 2007, the upcoming service pack for Vista evolved into the Release Candidate phase.
windows -
comments -
15.11.2007 Microsoft: Public Build of Windows Vista SP1 RC Soon
Microsoft is currently cooking the first public build of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate.
windows -
comments -
4.12.2007 Microsoft: Should You Install Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh?
Last week, on January 9th, 2008, Microsoft dropped Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate Refresh Build 17128 into the laps of some 15,000 testers.
windows -
comments -
14.1.2008 Windows Vista SP2 RC to be released to public next week
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to Betanews this afternoon that the first release candidates (without numerals) for Service Pack 2 for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 will be released to the general public for testing next week.
windows -
comments -
25.2.2009 New Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh - Build 17128 Available for Download
Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate Refresh - Build 17128 is now available for download. Microsoft is making headway with the development of the first service pack for Windows Vista.
download -
comments -
10.1.2008 Windows Vista SP1 RC will expire on June 30. Uninstall Now!
Just a small reminder. In case you havent, you must uninstall any RC builds (any build less than 6.0.6001.18000) before they expire on June 30.
windows -
comments -
15.6.2008 Windows Vista SP2 RC-Escrow build released to testers
Ars Technica reports that Microsoft has sent out the RC-Escrow build of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to testers.
windows -
comments -
29.1.2009 Windows Vista SP2 RC Build 6002.16670.090130 released to testers
As various Windows blogs are reporting, Microsoft is issuing some test updates for the official Windows 7 Beta (that's build 7000) this month, on the 24.
windows -
comments -
20.2.2009 Download Windows Vista SP1 Beta RC Build 6001.17036 v.652 via WebUpdater
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta build 6001.16659.070916-1443 v.275 has been upgraded to new version.
windows -
comments -
12.11.2007 Microsoft Releases Vista SP1 RC Preview on MSDN
Microsoft has posted download links to Windows Vista SP1 RC Preview on the MSDN homepage for MSDN subcribers.
windows -
comments -
4.11.2007 Vista SP1 RC Preview Is Here, XP SP3 Beta Up Next
If you are waiting for the first beta of Windows XP Service Pack 3, go ahead and start holding your breath. Microsoft’s latest moves in the service pack arena offer clear indication of the fact that the baking time for the Windows XP SP3 Beta is almost over.
windows -
comments -
17.11.2007 Install Vista SP1 RC Refresh for the Added Performance
According to Microsoft, one reason to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate Refresh and test drive it is the added performance.
windows -
comments -
15.1.2008 Microsoft readying RC of Vista SP2 for February 2009
Citing a source at Microsoft, Techarp has revealed that Microsoft is targeting a release candidate (RC) version of Windows Vista SP2 for February 2009.
microsoft -
comments -
24.11.2008 Vista SP2 RC in February, RTM in April 2009
Microsoft is laboring to serve Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista a little over a year after the availability of Service Pack 1, beating Windows 7 to the market.
windows -
comments -
24.11.2008 XP SP3 Refresh 2 and Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2 Join Windows 7
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate Refresh 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate Refresh 2 have joined Windows 7 on torrent trackers.
windows -
comments -
1.2.2008 Activate Windows 7 Pre-Beta 6801 with Vista Beta or RC Product Key without Crack
Already download and install Windows 7 Pre-Beta build 6801? You probably have to leave the product key field blank during installation in order to complete the setup of Windows 7.
windows -
comments -
1.11.2008 Vista SP1 RC Leaves XP SP2 in the Dust, but What About XP SP3?
Although Microsoft has indicated a strong disapproval of benchmarking tests involving development milestones of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the temptation is simply too big to ignore.
windows -
comments -
17.1.2008 Windows 7 Changes Since Beta for the RC
We’ve been quite busy for the past two months or so working through all the feedback we’ve received on Windows 7.
windows -
comments -
26.2.2009 Windows 7, a few more changes from Beta to RC…
Building on the recent post on some changes since Beta) on some of the changes you will see in the Release Candidate.
windows -
comments -
13.3.2009 Windows 7 RC is Build 7100
Sources have informed us that Microsoft has stamped the RC build of Windows 7 last night.
windows -
comments -
23.4.2009Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC released
Last week the Windows Team Blog announced that the availability of SP2 RC for Vista would be available soon. Today they have posted that the download
is now live and you can find the information needed here. If you have a beta install of SP2 loaded on your computer it must be uninstalled before
attempting to load the RC. It should also be mentioned that this, while close, is not a final product and a few hiccups may occur along the way. You
can download the RC directly from the Customer Preview Program or use the Windows Update Experience Kit to obtain the RC for your personal computer.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
05.03.2009Exclusive: Windows Vista SP2 RC released to general public
As expected, Windows Vista Service Pack 2 RC and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 RC is now available to general public for download. You can
download the SP2 RC for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 below: ISO for Windows Server 2008 x86/x64/ia64 and Windows Vista x86/x64x86 for
Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista x86x64 for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista x64IA64 for Windows Server 2008 ia64 The service pack is
delivered as a single release for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. There will be a single 32-bit standalone installer (302 MB to 390 MB)
for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
04.03.2009Windows Vista SP2 RC to be released to public next week
Last week we had a rumor that Windows Vista SP2 RC was released to select testers. It turns out that it might be just a notification from Microsoft a
week ahead that RC is done and available for testing or it might have been a near final RC made available for testing to select testers. Microsoft
has announced today that the RC of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 is available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers to test prior to final
release. Microsoft will make SP2 RC available to the general public via TechNet during next week. As expected the final version of SP2 will be made
available in the 2nd quarter of 2009.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
26.02.2009Windows 7 Beta to RC transition - What you need to know
Every one of us is waiting for the upcoming Windows 7 RC release. In the meantime, Windows 7 Team has blogged on the upgrade experience from pre-RC
builds to RC build, even when the RC dates are not officially out. This blog post indeed shows the openness of the Windows 7 Team to discuss various
issues regarding Windows 7 RC. If you are expecting any major announcement, then this post does not have any! The blog post talks a little about
upgrading Windows Vista to Windows 7, but as we discussed earlier there is no upgrade path available from Windows XP to Windows 7 "There's no
change here to the plan as has been discussed on many forums.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
07.04.2009Windows Vista SP2 RC build released to testers
TechARP predicted last month that RC-Escrow build of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 will be released between the dates Jan 26-30 and
the RC build between the dates Feb 16-20. The RC Escrow build of SP2 was sent to testers at the end of January and the rumor is that now Microsoft has
released the RC build of SP2 to Microsoft Connect testers exactly between the dates predicted by TechARP. Ars reports that RC build is available for
download as a standalone installer package or via Windows Update or as a slipstreamed download which includes 691 individual hotfixes.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
20.02.2009Deployed: Windows Vista SP1 RC on ALL of my PCs
Brandon LeBlanc: Today Nick announced the availability of the release candidate for Windows Vista SP1. I had a chance to get the RC build of Windows
Vista SP1 installed a few days ago. I decided to roll the RC out on all of my PCs which showcase a variety of device types and scenarios:
- My Main Desktop PC running Windows Vista Ultimate x64 - check.
- My Test/Work PC running Windows Vista Business - check.
- My Dell Vostro 1500 Laptop running Windows Vista Ultimate - check.
- My Samsung Q1 UMPC running Windows Vista Home Premium - check.
- My Digital CableCard PC running Windows Vista Home Premium - check.
In installing the RC on my PCs, I did a combination of
using the standalone installer and Windows Update. Before proceeding to install the SP1 RC bits, I first needed to uninstall the SP1 beta bits first.
Users looking to install the Windows Vista SP1 RC will need to uninstall any previous version of SP1 prior to the installation of the RC from either
Windows Update or the standalone installer.
winbeta.org -
06.12.2007Windows Vista SP1 RC released to public
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC is now available through Windows Update. Experience the WU based Vista SP1 installation by following 4 simple steps.
Windows Vista SP1 RC distributed through Windows Update will be applicable to Windows Vista machines that are running on any of the 36 languages
supported by Vista RTM.
If you already installed the Service Pack to your machine by using the standalone package, you must uninstall
before you scan Windows Update for Windows Vista SP1.
Systems running on Windows Vista RTM require as many as three updates before SP1 can
be installed. These updates are permanent to your Windows Vista systems. Windows Update will detect your system configuration and offer the
prerequisite packages that are applicable to your system.
neowin.net -
12.12.2007Windows Vista SP2 RC-Escrow build released to testers
Ars Technica reports that Microsoft has sent out the RC-Escrow build of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to testers. An email has been
sent to SP2 testers regarding this release. The RC-Escrow build is available for download from this Thursday as a standalone installer or via Windows
Update or as a slipstreamed download. Microsoft claims that the service pack includes 656 individual hotfixes. The Escrow Build is a build where
development halts and developers & beta testers start testing the product for any show-stopper bugs. Microsoft has emphasized this to testers to
concentrate only on the regressions and confirmation of fixes when asking for feedback which includes the RC Escrow install survey.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
29.01.2009Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC Refresh Public Availability Program
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC Refresh is available to Beta testers through Windows Update. Experience the WU installation path for Windows Vista SP1
by following these simple steps and give us your feedback to improve our quality.
winbeta.org -
12.01.2008Windows 7 RC expected at the end of February
WinnFuture, a German website reports that the one and only RC build of Windows 7 will be ready at the end of February to be sent to select testers.
According to WinFuture's sources, the first-RC build has been compiled by now. The build number currently under test is not known, however
WinFuture reports that 7048 was the latest build of Windows 7 and might be the RC, created a few days before and confirms that work is currently going
on around the Windows 7 RC build.
Read
full story.....
neowin.net -
19.02.2009Announcing Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate (RC)
Nick White: Today we're making available the release candidate (RC) of Windows Vista SP1 via
Microsoft Connect, and tomorrow subscribers to TechNet and MDSN will have access to those RC bits too. In addition, the RC will
be available to the public next week via Microsoft's Download Center. The release candidate phase of beta software is typically the final phase
before the RTM (release-to-manufacturing) of a product and indicates that the code has attained a significant level of performance and stability.
Let me call out several changes made since the Beta release of Service Pack 1 -- many of which came about as a result of direct
feedback from our Beta-testing community (thank you!)...
winbeta.org -
06.12.2007Microsoft readying RC of Vista SP2 for February 2009
Citing a source at Microsoft, Techarp has revealed that Microsoft is targeting a release candidate (RC) version of Windows Vista SP2 for February
2009. Microsoft sent invites to testers in mid October asking them to take part in the SP2 beta. Build 16489 was released to special group of testers
in late October but Microsoft has been quiet since then. TechArp also believes the RTM of Vista SP2 will be in April 2009. Microsoft is readying SP2
so there are additional incentives for customers to upgrade to Window Vista now, instead of waiting for Windows 7.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
24.11.2008Windows 7 RC coming to MSDN/Technet soon, public May 5
A page over at Microsoft Partners has been updated to show that Windows 7 RC will be publically released on May 5, and should be available for MSDN
and Technet subscribers now. However, clicking through the download link will only get you the beta, right now. This would seem to jive with an
earlier leak on a Microsoft page saying that the RC would be available in May, but that was taken down soon after it was reported. Well see how long
this page stays updated with the Windows 7 RC information, or how long it'll take before RC does actually hit MSDN and Technet.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
18.04.2009Windows 7 RC and Windows XP to be available until 2010
With all this talk about the Windows 7 RC lately, we've seen a few questions asking, "So, how long will I actually be able to still use it,
anyway?" Well, friends, your queries have been answered! Our buddies over at PCWorld are reporting that Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 7 RC
will be still active until June 1, 2010. This information was actually leaked about a month ago, but Thursday say the Redmond-based software giant
confirm the news.
Read full
story.....
neowin.net -
01.05.2009Microsoft releases Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2
The Windows team stepped up a gear and have
released SP1 RC (Release Candidate) Refresh 2
today. In the past this probably would of been called RC3.
Microsoft said this release would reach just 15,000 official beta testers
who can download it through Windows Update or as a stand alone file. As with previous builds, the Service Pack requires an RTM version of Vista
without earlier SP1 updates applied.
Service Pack 1 is expected to be made available in the middle of next month.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
25.01.2008Windows XP SP3 RC goes to MSDN, TechNet testers
Microsoft made available on December 3 for download the near-final Release Candidate (RC) of Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3. The RC is available to
all Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet subscribers. This isn’t yet a generally available, “public” RC of XP SP3; that is
still coming at some future date that Microsoft hasn’t disclosed. Microsoft provided an RC “preview” of XP SP3 to 15,000 testers in
mid-November.
Microsoft is still on track to ship the final XP SP3 in the first half of calendar 2008. XP SP3 is a rollup of all previously
released XP updates, according to Microsoft, “including security updates, out-of-band releases, and hotfixes.”
Lately,
Microsoft has been releasing XP SP3 and Vista SP1 builds in lockstep. (The same 15,000 testers that got XP SP3 RC preview also got the Vista SP1 RC
preview.) Given that Microsoft told its own employees to expect the company to make the RC of Vista SP1 more broadly available some time this week, it
seems logical that the Vista SP1 RC is right around the corner, too.
neowin.net -
04.12.2007Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate Goes To MSDN
Microsoft made available on December 3 for download the near-final Release Candidate (RC) of Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3.
The
RC is available to all Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet subscribers. This isn't yet a generally available, "public" RC of XP SP3;
that is still coming at some future date that Microsoft hasn't disclosed.
Microsoft provided an RC "preview" of XP SP3 to
15,000 testers in mid-November.
Microsoft is still on track to ship the final XP SP3 in the first half of calendar 2008. XP SP3
is a rollup of all previously released XP updates, according to Microsoft, "including security updates, out-of-band releases, and hotfixes."
Lately, Microsoft has been releasing XP SP3 and Vista SP1 builds in lockstep. (The same 15,000 testers that got XP SP3 RC preview also
got the Vista SP1 RC preview.) Given that Microsoft told its own employees to expect the company to make the RC of Vista SP1 more broadly available
some time this week, it seems logical that the Vista SP1 RC is right around the corner, too.
jcxp.net -
05.12.2007Beta to RC Changes - Turning Windows Features On or Off
The E7 team has posted an interesting blog post about the various Windows features that are available to turn on or off in the Windows 7 RC. Customers
are now given more control, flexibility and choice in managing the features available in the RC of Windows 7. Below are the list of extra features
that are added to Windows 7 RC: Windows Media PlayerWindows Media CenterWindows DVD MakerInternet Explorer 8Windows SearchHandwriting Recognition
(through the Tablet PC Components option)Windows Gadget PlatformFax and ScanXPS Viewer and Services (including the Virtual Print Driver) Neowin had
already reported about Internet Explorer 8 being an optional component in the latest Windows 7 build 7048, and so are the other features.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
06.03.2009Exclusive: Windows 7 RC download goes live
The wait is over folks, Microsoft has published the download page for the Windows 7 RC. As we noted earlier, the download was scheduled to launch
tomorrow and was to be available worldwide. Coming straight from the download page, here are Microsoft's notes for the release candidate: You
don't need to rush to get the RC. The RC will be available at least through July 2009 and we're not limiting the number of product keys, so
you have plenty of time. Watch the calendar. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every
two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
05.05.2009Windows Vista SP1 RC Public Availability Program
Install Windows Vista SP1 RC through Windows Update!
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC is available through Windows Update.
Experience the WU based Vista SP1 installation by following 4 simple steps.
Windows Vista SP1 RC distributed through Windows
Update will be applicable to Windows Vista machines that are running on any of the 36 languages supported by Vista RTM.
If you
already installed the Service Pack to your machine by using the standalone package, you must uninstall before you scan Windows Update for Windows
Vista SP1.
Systems running on Windows Vista RTM require as many as three updates before SP1 can be installed. These updates are
permanent to your Windows Vista systems. Windows Update will detect your system configuration and offer the prerequisite packages that are applicable
to your system. For details, please see the instructions below.
winbeta.org -
12.12.2007
