RC1 will be distributed to 20,000 users already in the technical beta program, 500,000 MSDN and TechNet subscribers, and 1.5 million people who were in the Beta 2 Customer Preview Program (CPP), or public beta test.
Microsoft intends to significantly widen the distribution by opening the door to new CPP testers. Information about the public beta test will be made available at a later time.
In addition, the software company has made arrangements to have 2 million CD "cover mounts" put on magazines, so that magazine readers can install RC1 as well. The company hopes to more than double the number of people testing RC1 compared with those who tested Beta 2.
RC1 will work until May 31, 2007, when it will time out and no longer function. Microsoft will continue to issue updates and patches to RC1 until it is released to manufacturing, at which time the operating system is considered finished, and the manufacturing and distribution process will begin.
Microsoft intends to significantly widen the distribution by opening the door to new CPP testers. Information about the public beta test will be made available at a later time.
In addition, the software company has made arrangements to have 2 million CD "cover mounts" put on magazines, so that magazine readers can install RC1 as well. The company hopes to more than double the number of people testing RC1 compared with those who tested Beta 2.
RC1 will work until May 31, 2007, when it will time out and no longer function. Microsoft will continue to issue updates and patches to RC1 until it is released to manufacturing, at which time the operating system is considered finished, and the manufacturing and distribution process will begin.