"Today's a milestone for us in terms of the huge investments and big innovation going into the next major version of Windows and of all the big complementary products," Bill Gates said at the opening of the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Seattle.

Tuesday 23rd March 2006 - Microsoft today announced the release of Windows Vista Beta 2 and Windows Server �Longhorn� Beta 2, along with the release of 2007 Microsoft Office System Beta 2!

This is a significant milestone in Microsoft�s history, as it is the first time they have released the Beta versions of all three of the company�s flagship products simultaneously...

Getting Windows Vista Beta 2 Download:

Microsoft enterprise (large business) customers will start experiencing Windows Vista Beta 2 from today via the Customer Technology Preview (CTP) channels.

In June 2006 Microsoft will also make the Windows Vista Beta 2 Download available for public access so that technology enthusiasts can take an early look at the product.

(If you want to stay informed about Windows Vista then check out: www.instantvista.com - and subscribe to the free monthly newsletter.)

The last time Microsoft launched a Windows operating system came in October 2001 with the release of Windows XP.

Important points from the press release:

� Back in March 2006 promised to deliver this milestone in the development of Windows Vista with the release of Windows Vista beta 2.

� Windows Vista Beta 2 is available now as a download to developers and IT professionals who are subscribers to MSDN or TechNet, as well as to members of the Technology Adoption Program (TAP) and the TechBeta program. Windows Vista Beta 2 will also be more broadly available to additional developers and IT professionals, as well as consumer technology enthusiasts, in the coming weeks as part of the Windows Vista Customer Preview Program (CPP). - (I just checked the MSDN DVD Shipment database and there is no Windows Vista Beta 2 software due until the July 2006 monthly update which ships around the 22nd June, this apparently will contain a DVD with Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Beta 2.)

� With the release of Windows Vista beta 2, Microsoft have focused on improving the experience, reliability and overall quality of Windows Vista for both enterprise and enthusiast audiences, providing a more complete and productive testing environment for customers.

� Microsoft are encouraging consumer (home user) technology enthusiasts to utilize the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to test their PCs� ability to run Windows Vista Beta 2. If the PCs are capable, enthusiasts can obtain Windows Vista Beta 2 via the CPP program and begin experiencing the new premium consumer features, such as Windows Media Player 11, enhancements to Media Center, new photo capabilities, and enhanced organizational tools. (make sure you are subscribed to the free newsletter at www.instantvista.com and I will let you know as soon as it is available to the public.)

This release of Vista Beta 2 signals that Microsoft is keeping to its revised schedule for development and sale of the flagship product, due out for large business customers in November 2006 and consumers in January 2007.

Read Bill Gate's WinHEC 2006 Vista Keynote Speech highlights here

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Related Articles:

Find out more about the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor here:

www.instantvista.com/windows-vista-upgrade-advisor.html

Find out more about Microsoft Office 2007 Beta 2 here:

www.updatexp.com/2007-beta-2-download-office.html

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This page was last updated 23rd May 2006

Windows Vista Beta 2 Download

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