Microsoft has rolled out its release candidates for Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2008, which are now available for download at the software giant’s Web site.
The two test versions represent one of the last opportunities for Microsoft’s partners and enterprise-class customers to evaluate the new products and provide the company with feedback before their release, the company said.
“The release candidate phase of beta software is typically the final phase before the release-to-manufacturing of a product and indicates that the code has attained a significant level of performance and stability,” said Microsoft product manager and Windows Vista launch team member Nick White.
Boosting Security
Microsoft attributes about 5 percent of its Windows desktop OEM revenue growth in the third quarter to declines in piracy. “While piracy rates are hard to measure precisely, we’re seeing indications from internal metrics, like WGA validation failures, that the Windows Vista piracy rate is less than half that of Windows XP today,” said Microsoft corporate vice president Michael Sievert.
Still, pirates have discovered two different ways to generate counterfeit versions of Windows Vista, Sievert noted. One method involves modifying system files and the BIOS of the motherboard to mimic a type of product activation performed on factory-installed copies of Vista, while the other exploit attempts to reset the “grace time” limit between installation and activation. “SP1 will include updates that will target those exploits and disable them,” Sievert said.
Users of systems identified as running counterfeit versions of Vista will be presented with clear and recurring notices about their status. “They won’t lose access to functionality or features, but it will be very clear to them that their copy of Window Vista is not genuine and they need to take action,” Sievert added.
In addition to targeting the piracy issues, Windows Vista SP1 will address…