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Microsoft posted during the past weekend for download a new test build of its Longhorn Server operating system.
Microsoft made Longhorn Server Build 5600, designated as the “August Community Technology Preview,” available to MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) and TechNet subscribers for download on the heels of Windows Vista Release Candidate 1. Microsoft delivered Vista RC1, which is also Build 5600, at the start of September.
The new Longhorn Server test build “is primarily a refresh of Beta 2 to fix bugs and improve performance and reliability,” said David Lowe, senior product manager at Microsoft. “There will be some minor cosmetic changes and UI improvements, but there are no new server roles or major features over Beta 2.
“This CTP release is primarily a refresh of Beta 2, incorporating core operating system fixes that were made for both Windows Vista and Windows Longhorn,” Lowe added. “There are great improvements in setup time, boot time and overall performance.”
Microsoft is still on track to deliver a Beta 3 build of Longhorn Server in the first half of 2007, Lowe said. The final version of Longhorn Server is slated for a late 2007 shipment. Longhorn Server RC1 will fall some time between Beta 3 and the release-to-manufacturing date, Lowe said.
Microsoft released the first beta of Longhorn Server in July 2005. Microsoft delivered Beta 2 in May 2006.