Microsoft opens up Vista SP2 beta

Available to all on Thursday - SP2 contains improved support for Bluetooth devices, an updated Windows Search tool, support for Blu-Ray devices and a host of other tweaks..
Microsoft has announced that it is making the latest beta of Vista Service Pack Two (SP2) available to all on Thursday.

The code will be available for download by MSDN and TechNet subscribers tomorrow but on Thursday anyone will be able to try out the code by joining the company’s Customer Preview Program (CPP).

“The CPP is intended for technology enthusiasts, developers, and IT Pros who would like to test Service Pack 2 in their environments and with their applications prior to final release. For most customers, our best advice would be to wait until the final release prior to installing this service pack,” said Mike Nash, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for Windows Product Management, in the Vista blog.

“For those of you who choose to test this service pack, we encourage you to install the beta as soon as you can; your feedback will help us to ship a solid and stable service pack for Windows Vista.”

A small number of beta testers have had the code since October but the company obviously now feels that it is stable enough for general release.

The final code will be out in the first half of next year but many believe it will come sooner rather than late as Microsoft seeks to get support for the unpopular operating system.

SP2 contains improved support for Bluetooth devices, an updated Windows Search tool, support for Blu-Ray devices and a host of other tweaks