Microsoft overhauls Vista beta schedule

Microsoft will not issue a second beta of its forthcoming Windows Vista operating system despite repeated promises to do so.

The company will rely instead on its so-called Community Technology Previews (CTPs) to allow developers to test the software.

The cancellation is not the only promise that Microsoft has broken leading up to the release of the final Vista code later this year, as the CTPs will not now be released on a monthly basis.

CTPs for November and January have been skipped, and the next release is scheduled for February.

Microsoft unveiled the first beta of Vista in July and has published CTPs in September, October and December.

A CTP is an interim test release of software that aims to provide Microsoft with additional feedback.

Although the process has not been used for releases of Microsoft's operating systems, the company claims that it leads to better quality and ease of use.

See also:

Microsoft heads for Vienna beyond Vista

Developer changes codename for future version of Windows  23 Jan 2006

No major Windows XP update until mid-2007

Windows Vista remains the priority for Microsoft  18 Jan 2006

Windows Vista falls prey to WMF flaw

How 'new' is this new software?  17 Jan 2006

Robert Fripp tunes into Windows Vista

In the court of the Redmond king  06 Jan 2006

Microsoft focuses on security with Vista

Community Technology Preview shows off security and performance enhancements  20 Dec 2005

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