Inside Windows Vista, Build 5270

Microsoft Corp.s latest Community Technology Preview release of Windows Vista, Build 5270, announced Dec. 19, includes a variety of improvements to security, performance and the user interface.

It also includes updated versions of some of the applications that will ship with the operating system.

We took this latest pre-release version of Vista for a test drive in our labs and were generally impressed with its stability, responsiveness and polish.

Click here to read about the possible dangers inherent in Vistas new metadata tagging system.

Vista still has a long way to go before it ships.

But its clear that Microsofts developers have been busy in the two months since the prior CTP release, build 5231.

Major changes in this build include a new look for the Start button—one that no longer has the "Start" label—improved use of Aero Glass effects like transparency and animation, and integrated Windows Defender (formerly Windows AntiSpyware).

Microsoft revamps its Community Technology Preview system to focus on quality milestones rather than specific release dates. Read more here.

There are also updates to Internet Explorer 7 and more to see in Windows Media Player 11.

Read the full story on ExtremeTech: Inside Windows Vista, Build 5270

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