Microsoft says Vista beta testers better hurry

By Ina Fried
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

Published: June 29, 2006, 11:30 AM PDT

Last modified: June 29, 2006, 11:48 AM PDT

TalkBack E-mail Print

update For those who want to try out the current test version of Microsoft's Windows Vista, it may be now or never.

The company is nearing its self-imposed cutoff point and plans to stop allowing new downloads after Friday, according to Microsoft blogger Ian Moulster.

"In case you weren't aware, we are only providing a limited number of copies of Windows Vista Beta 2--either download or physical copies--and we're fast approaching the cutoff point, " Moulster wrote. "What this means is--if you want to get a copy, get it now (and I mean now)."

Microsoft released Beta 2 of Windows Vista in May but didn't make it available to the general public until earlier this month. Microsoft cautioned at the time that it might limit the number of testers.

According to the latest schedule, the oft-delayed operating system is due to be finished and available to large corporate customers late this year, with a mainstream launch in January.

As for the current beta, Moulster said people who start their download before the cutoff will be able to finish getting the software, even if it takes them slightly past the deadline. He cautioned that people should make sure that they get a product key for the software and also recommended that people activate their beta software. "We may be able to provide people who have activated copies with future...stuff," he said. "I'm being vague because I need to be. Just trust me and make sure you activate."

A Microsoft representative confirmed the company has nearly reached the amount of testers it plans to allow to try Vista Beta 2. "The Windows Vista Beta 2 code is available in limited quantities, and we've almost reached that limit and expect to close the program shortly," the representative said in an e-mail.

Cutoff for downloading current test version of next operating system is nearing, company blogger warns.

TalkBack E-mail Print del.icio.us Digg this

Read more on this story's topics and companies

• Add to My News | Create an alert Software engineering/development
• Add to My News | Create an alert Windows Vista
• Add to My News | Create an alert Web logs
• Add to My News | Create an alert Microsoft

TrackBack

TalkBack

Deal of the day

Sennheiser noise-cancelling headphones for $80
Oldies, but goodies. People swear by these noise-cancelling headphones, which are on Amazon's Friday sale for about $70 off. Read more...