SP2 for Vista, Server 2008 Reportedly Sent to Testers

With Windows Vista hanging in the balance between a coming-to-life Windows 7 and a refusing-to-die Windows XP, a second service pack for Vista and Windows Server 2008 has reportedly been sent to testers. The reports say a release candidate escrow build has been sent for feedback, with other versions to be available in the next few months.

'An Additional Incentive'

The Malaysia-based TechARP Web site reported Microsoft was "doing its best to rush out" the new service pack for Vista so people would have an "additional incentive to upgrade to Vista now, instead of waiting for Windows 7."

The site said its "confidential source" said the escrow build was released early, rather than in February as it originally reported. A release candidate escrow build indicates that coding has stopped, with efforts being put into finding bugs that could force a recall.

The release candidate build will be shipped the week of Feb. 16, according to the site. A release to manufacturing, including OEMs, will happen sometime between the beginning and middle of the second quarter, it said. A final release-to-Web date is still to be determined, but the site speculated it might be in April or May, "barring any further delays."

TechARP.com's reports are respected, since it accurately predicted the release schedule for Vista SP1 and XP SP3 last year. The site is also predicting that Microsoft will not require hardware makers to include Vista SP2 on new machines, which would have required new testing by the manufacturers.

Windows 7, the successor to Vista, was shown publicly in beta earlier this month, but a release schedule hasn't been announced. It's expected to be released by early 2010. As for a Vista and Windows Server SP2 release date, Microsoft has acknowledged only that it is targeting the second quarter.

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