Windows Vista RC1 Officially Released To The Public


Windows Vista Logo Microsoft has officially released Windows Vista RC1 to the public. You can either go to their download page if you want to install their download manager or you can download it using your Web browser with these direct links. They apparently aren’t allowing people to directly link to the file now so you have to go to the site.

After you download the file you can verify it using the hash:

32-Bit
    MD5 hash: 22486e815a38feffd9667317dfeec55a
    SHA1 hash:  e00b4ebbc81fb420cf047973b95a9cfb7cdf51b7
64-Bit
    MD5 hash: f3a385aae6e4dea9226e31d9f1148b56
    SHA1 hash:  8e4de7a72c828a3543ff1663243eb0836da07eea

So, who’s up for trying it? I’m about to download it and I can’t wait to see the results. Up until now I have been using Vista Pre-RC1 5536 and it is stable enough for me to use everyday…so it can only get better, right?

Update:
As far as getting a key goes I was looking at the Customer Preview Program site and I didn’t see anything. Your Beta 2 keys should still work but I’m not sure how newcomers are supposed to get a key? Am I blind?

Update 2:
Yay, a compatible version of Avast is expected on Friday! This just keeps getting better.

Update 3:
According to the CPP site: “the CPP will open to new participants in the coming weeks.” Guess I was just blind.
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September 6th, 2006 Written by
  1. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2006 at 12:48 pm

    Well, it most definitely is more stable and quite quick. Very nice!!!!

    Reply
  2. RyanAuthorSeptember 6, 2006 at 12:52 pm

    You already have it? Either you’re a quick downloader, Microsoft tester, or you have a “friend”. ;)

    Reply
  3. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2006 at 1:00 pm

    You need to already be in the program, they are not excepting new people.

    Reply
  4. RyanAuthorSeptember 6, 2006 at 1:09 pm

    The Windows Vista Team blog has [blogs.technet.com]

    Will Microsoft open testing sign-ups again when RC1 is released?
    Yes.

    Reply
  5. natmasterSeptember 6, 2006 at 3:21 pm

    The beta was way too slow and annoying (UAC controls?!) to be usable, but I have heard many great things about Microsoft’s progress in these areas, so I will surely try this out!

    Reply
  6. Radu CapanSeptember 6, 2006 at 4:03 pm

    If I would have 2-3 computers maybe I would try Vista. With only one, I stick to XP and read your opinions :) . The fact that is stable is a very good news.

    Reply
  7. AjaySeptember 6, 2006 at 11:41 pm

    Waiting for them to open up :)

    Reply
  8. RyanAuthorSeptember 7, 2006 at 12:08 am

    It is open you just have to go to their download page. They don’t appear to be letting people directly link to the file. Thanks for pointing that out.

    Reply
  9. AjaySeptember 7, 2006 at 6:39 am

    Yup, I realized that as well Ryan.

    I went through their download page.

    Just wondering if this has some kind of expiry date?

    Oram I allowed to use it for as long as possible?

    Reply
  10. RyanAuthorSeptember 7, 2006 at 7:59 am

    I think it expires after 6-months or in July 2007, whichever comes first.

    Reply
  11. AjaySeptember 8, 2006 at 11:51 am

    Thanks… Guess should just wait for the vinal vista then …. The download keeps restating for me :x

    Reply