Microsoft Releases Vista SP2 Release Candidate

Microsoft on Wednesday released Service Pack 2 Release Candidate (RC) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

"Starting today, the RC of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 will be available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers to test prior to final release," Brandon LeBlanc, a Windows communication manager, wrote in a blog post. "In the very near future, we will be making the RC broadly available for anyone to download and test. You can expect another blog post from me when that happens."

The final SP2 is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2009, he said.

"In addition to all previously released updates, SP2 will contain changes focused on supporting new types of hardware and adding support for several emerging standards," LeBlanc said. "SP2 will also continue to make it easier for IT administrators to deploy and manage large installations of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008."

Organizations that want to upgrade to Vista or Windows Server 2008 do not have to wait until the final SP2 release, LeBlanc said, though SP1 must already be installed.

"We encourage them to begin their Windows Vista/Windows Server 2008 evaluation and deployment now," he said.

Beta versions of Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 were made available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers in early December.

source : www.pcmag.com