Exclusive: Microsoft to Ship Interim Windows Vista Build to Testers

codëX

According to my sources, Microsoft will soon ship an unexpected "refresh build" of Windows Vista to its technical beta testers and some corporate customers. Previously, the company had been shipping only semi-monthly Community Technical Preview (CTP) builds of Vista to testers and other audiences, including MSDN subscribers. The refresh build is currently build 5342, I'm told. It will require different product keys than the previous CTP.

"Microsoft is considering releasing updated Windows Vista code to TAP [Technology Adoption Program] customers in the coming weeks," a Microsoft represented confirmed. "Microsoft regularly provides our TAP customers with regular Windows Vista code releases and this upcoming code release is consistent with our past engagement with this group. The Windows Vista code will not be a CTP release. As previously announced, Microsoft expects the next CTP will conclude the Beta 2 process and we are on track to deliver the next CTP in the second quarter of this year. We have no information to share on the features or timing of the TAP release or the next CTP release and will follow up when we have more to share."

Additionally, the spokesperson told me that the company would ship an update to the Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 preview code next week at the Mix '06 trade show. IE 7 Beta 1 Preview was released in late January.

It's unclear why Microsoft has chosen to ship a Vista refresh build at this time, though I'm told the company is using it as a testing board for the extensive feedback they've gotten since the last CTP, which was issued in February. According to my sources, the refresh build will not meet CTP quality measurements, and will ship only in the Vista Ultimate edition, for both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) systems.

Microsoft originally expected to ship a CTP build in April, though that release could slip until May, according to sources. That CTP should be made available to the public via Web downloads.