Beta 2 of Vista SP2 now available to anyone
As noted earlier this week, Microsoft has broadened its beta program for the second service pack for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
As of December 4, anyone can download the latest test versions of SP2, which may be applied to both Vista and Windows Server 2008. Here is where to get the bits:
- 32-bit SP2 Beta 2 for Vista and Windows Server 2008
- 64-bit SP2 Beta 2 for Vista and Windows Server 2008
SP1 is a prerequisite for the Beta 2 versions of SP2. (And remember, Windows Server 2008 is considered to be SP1; there was no standalone SP1 release for Windows Server 2008 after it RTM'd.)
The final versions of Vista/Windows Server 2008 SP2 is expected in the first half of next year. Microsoft's goal is to get SP2 out before it ships Windows 7 and Windows 7 Server (a k a Windows Server 2008 R2) -- the next versions of Windows client and Windows Server, which the company is aiming to release simultaneously.