Another day another build for Vista

Stan Beer
Monday, 25 September 2006 23:24

Opinion and Analysis

Just in case you missed it, following the release of RC1, Microsoft has released another build of Windows Vista.

• Announcements

I'm not quite sure how the Microsoft numbering system works, but the latest Vista release is called build 5728, which is a little scary if the numbering is merely sequential. Anyway numbers from 5700 onwards go beyond RC1 to release to manufacturing (RTM) stage.

Exactly what the difference is between a release candidate and a release to manufacturing version is a matter of semantics I guess. To my mind, a release candidate should be a version capable of being released and release to manufacturing is a version that is being released. Obviously the terms mean something else to Microsoft.

According to Microsoft, the new build has a number of improvements over plain old RC1, including bug fixes and improved stability (less crashes?).

For some reason, Microsoft also has seen fit to give users the option to tune off the music that plays when the system boots - presumably due to more than a few requests.

Anyway, Vista build 5728 is supposed to be just about there, although not quite. However, until the designated testers come back with their verdicts, what's left to do and whether Microsoft will meet its November deadline for business users will remain a mystery.