Windows Vista Customer Preview Program

Microsoft MVP have today started the Windows Vista Customer Preview Program (CPP), which will provide the broadest access yet to pre-release test versions of Windows Vista. The Windows Vista Customer Preview Program allows developers and IT professionals who do not have access to pre-release versions of Windows Vista through other channels to obtain the code and begin their testing. Also as part of the CPP, technology enthusiasts can obtain Beta 2 and begin testing the various consumer scenarios Windows Vista enables.

Windows Vista Customer Preview Program - Goes Live 8th June 2006

IT Pros, developers and technology enthusiasts interested in obtaining the code, either via free download or on DVD for a nominal fee, should first visit the Windows Vista “Get Ready” Web site http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready .

There, they will find a number of useful tools and resources, including the system requirements for Windows Vista. There is also a downloadable Windows Vista Upgrade advisor, which will evaluate a particular system’s ability to run Windows Vista.

The Get Ready site also has a link to the CPP order page. It is important to keep in mind the CPP utilizes beta code that should only be used on test machines - not on main PCs in a home or PCs in a production environment in the workplace.

Non-technical consumers should wait until Windows Vista becomes commercially available to begin using the operating system.

This broad availability of Windows Vista pre-release code represents a significant milestone in the development of Windows Vista and the feedback Microsoft receive from testers will help them to further refine certain areas of the product as they move closer to the final release. They are on track for business availability of Windows Vista in November 2006 with general consumer and new PC availability in January 2007.

 Download Or Purchase The DVD

The Windows Vista Beta 2 software that you can download at the CPP site is the Windows Ultimate version. (See the list of Vista versions that will be available when the software finally goes on sale.)

If you plan to try and download this software it is going to take you quite a while whilst the whole world is accessing that page! And as the file is a massive 3 Gigabytes you will want a good broadband connection too...

The alternative is too order the DVD, and for many reading this article that is the best option.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready (Closed)
 

Watch the short Video by Chris Jones (a Microsoft Corporate Vice President for Windows) that he made for members of the HIVE www.hive.net 

Watch It Here!
 

Got YOUR Subscription To Instant Vista News Yet?

Enter your E-mail Address:   Enter your First Name:   Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it ONLY to send you The INSTANT VISTA Newsletter! Privacy Policy

 

Download the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Guide! I have created a 21 page Guide To Using The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. You can download your copy here: FREE GUIDE

I hope you found this article useful?

Kind Regards

 

Marc Liron
Microsoft MVP
Digital Media Evangelist
www.updatexp.com
www.instantvista.com