The Windows Vista Team Blog has answered a few questions that a lot of people have been asking. Unfortunately one of the answers does not give a date as to when Vista RC1 (Release Candidate 1) will be released but it does let us know about the availability:
Q: Will Microsoft open testing sign-ups again when RC1 is released?
A: Yes.Q: Will the Customer Preview Program be available for those who missed out on Beta 2 to sign up and get RC1?
A: Yes.Q: If I participated in Beta 2 by downloading a PID and the build, will I be able to participate in RC1 automatically?
A: Yes.
At this time it looks like Vista may pass the previously scheduled Vista RC1 release date which was August 15. The person who answered the above questions did say that they are currently using build 5505 which makes you wonder what build will be released as RC1. I guess the good news is that everyone that had downloaded Vista Beta 2 a few months ago will automatically be signed up to participate in testing Vista RC1 but other people will be allowed to sign-up, too.
I’ve been wondering for awhile now. For the people who download Vista Beta 2 for free (as well as Office Beta 2007), what will happen to these products once the final versions are released? Does the software stop working and asks for a product key? Or what happens?
I believe you have 6 months to use the software and then it will expire. I know that it eventually expires but I can’t remember if the time period is 6 months or not.
-Ryan
Office: Feb 2007
Vista: Jun or Jul for Beta 2, possibly also for any other releases.