Download Windows Vista RC1

[walrus]

Anyone can download Windows Vista?Release Candidate 1 (RC1) now without a activation code from earlier versions.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx

The final major pre-release of Windows Vista?Release Candidate 1 (RC1)?is now available through the Customer Preview Program (CPP). Customer participation and feedback are integral parts of our development process. If you decide to install and test RC1, thank you for being part of the Windows Vista team!


I did a quick search and didn't see this posted. I know some people say Windows Vista? (RC1) even free isn't a hot deal.

 

[jlbenedict]

This is all over the operating system forum..

 

[JacKaL2004]

cool.... is this pretty much a free copy? since this is the pre-release, most likely it'll turn into the final build. will they provide us with a key?

 

[Atif]

^ WHAT? I hope that's a joke. Release Candidate's don't "turn into" final versions. The license expires in June of 2007 whereby you will be required to purchase a license for Vista.

Peace

 

[Robor]

Yep, there's several threads on RC-1 being available in OS, Software, and Hot Deals. Sadly, the search function here is poor and that's putting it nicely.

 

[dBTelos]

I hope this works with my VMWare Workstation app

 

[c627627]

Microsoft Vista is still a mess
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34268

 

[Pabster]

Mess is an understatement.

 

[Kwint Sommer]

Mircosoft is kind of screwed by the extent of their user base. There would be a huge outcry if Vista doesn't support everything back through Windows 98 but by supporting 4 previous operating systems programs and peripherals they vastly increase the size and complexity of their operating system not to mention tie themselves to outdated functions.

 

[dmcowen674]

My god, why would an OS need to be 3 and 4 gig???

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
My god, why would an OS need to be 3 and 4 gig???

Vista RC1 32-bit is 2584.3MB, Vista RC1 64-bit is 3677MB. I don't know why they rounded up so much.
OSX is around that size I believe.

 

[esquared]

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
My god, why would an OS need to be 3 and 4 gig???

Vista RC1 32-bit is 2584.3MB, Vista RC1 64-bit is 3677MB. I don't know why they rounded up so much.
OSX is around that size I believe.

Once you install it it's over 7GB. I am running build 5536 and it's 7.15GB with not much else installed on the drive at the moment.

 

[Avalon]

Which one should I try? The 64bit or 32bit one? I've got an Opteron 144, so either option is open.

 

[Ensign]

Originally posted by: Avalon
Which one should I try? The 64bit or 32bit one? I've got an Opteron 144, so either option is open.

"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?"

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: Avalon
Which one should I try? The 64bit or 32bit one? I've got an Opteron 144, so either option is open.

Depends. Are there 64bit Vista drivers for the devices you need? And do you care if there aren't? (ie, do you care if you can't get audio in 64bit Vista?)

Alternatively, if there aren't even 32bit drivers available, and you really want to see Vista, go with the 64bit.

I think there is a wiki somewhere for hardward compatibility. Search for it on google or yahoo and I'm sure you'll find it.

Otherwise I'd just wait.. I'm not a MS hater or anything (hell I love XP), but RC1 is a mess.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: Avalon
Which one should I try? The 64bit or 32bit one? I've got an Opteron 144, so either option is open.

Depends. Are there 64bit Vista drivers for the devices you need? And do you care if there aren't?
Alternatively, if there aren't even 32bit drivers available, and you really want to see Vista, go with the 64bit.
Otherwise I'd just wait.. I'm not a MS hater or anything (hell I love XP), but RC1 is a mess.

Yes, there are drivers for all my components in both 64bit and 32bit editions.

 

[mb]

Then give the 64bit a try.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: esquared

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
My god, why would an OS need to be 3 and 4 gig???

Vista RC1 32-bit is 2584.3MB, Vista RC1 64-bit is 3677MB. I don't know why they rounded up so much.
OSX is around that size I believe.

Once you install it it's over 7GB. I am running build 5536 and it's 7.15GB with not much else installed on the drive at the moment.

Yes, but we were talking about the ISO size, not the space it takes once installed.

 

[esquared]

At least they streamlined it a bit from the Beta 2 versions. The ISO for the 32 bit beta is 3.3GB and the 64bit beta is 4.2 GB.

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
My god, why would an OS need to be 3 and 4 gig???

Try 9gb's installed.

 

[imported_OrSin]

The inquire article was just dumb. They complain about driver issues. RC is the build for the hardware people to get their drivers right. WHen they have then right they will be in RC2 or the final. You can;t complain about driver issues in beta and RC. Als half of thier complains are about interface difference. Guess what everyone said the same thing when XP come out. They hate the new interface. Its just pretty 98 and offers nothing new. Personally I like Vista. Its not ready for show, but its only at RC. It is resource hog compared to XP, but when you compare the entry level systems now to when XP came out. You can see its not nearly as bad. I'm going to configure the 64 bit this week. I have done the 32bit 3 times now and all systems are running nice. The AMD2500 with only 512 ram is running slow, but its staple. Just my 2 cents for anyone thinking about build it out.

 

[cyberia]

Does the RC1 include the Media Center capability (like MCE 2005 - I don't know how they renamed it in the new version)?

 

[Bozo Galora]

the rc1 download from ms is the ultimate version that has mce stuff
of course, if you get a choice, you pick ult at install
prem has it, biz doesnt
ult = biz + prem

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
My god, why would an OS need to be 3 and 4 gig???

Windows 3.1 was released on six 1.44MB floppies. Why would an OS need to be any bigger?

:roll:

 

[UsandThem]

I would never use a Microsoft OS for at least six months after it is officially released. I let the other people deal with the issues and wait until the first service pack.

The only time I bought a new OS was when ME was released (was only $20.00 at AAFES at the time) and we know how well that went.:roll: