The final major pre-release of Windows Vista—Release Candidate 1 (RC1)—is now available for priority access by Customer Preview Program (CPP) participants only. If you registered for this program in June, please look for a recent e-mail message from Microsoft (sent in early September) with information regarding RC1. If you are not registered but would like to receive Windows Vista RC1, the CPP will open to new participants in the coming weeks. Please check this site periodically for updates.
Microsoft notes on the website: Windows Vista RC1 is available for participants of the Windows Vista Customer Preview Program. Please go to the Customer Preview Program website to register and receive a Product Key, which is required to install and activate the software.
For those of you who are brave enough to update: Before upgrading from Beta 2 to RC1, please install any Critical Updates from Windows Update for Beta 2. Go to Start, All Programs, Windows Update, and click the “Check for Updates” button.
Download: Windows Vista RC1, Build 5600 English: 32-Bit Edition | 64-Bit Edition
View: Windows Vista RC1 Download Page
Update: Microsoft is only allowing the download if the referrer is the downloads page. This mean you must click on the link from the downloads page in order to download Windows Vista RC1. It will be blocked it you click the links from my blog.
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