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Microsoft releases full-featured Windows XP for testing

Computerworld
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By Laura Rohde

(IDG) -- Microsoft Corp. Monday announced that it has made the first full-featured version of its upcoming Windows XP operating system available for evaluation and testing by corporate users.

The new evaluation code -- officially described as Release Candidate 1 (RC1) by Microsoft -- is the version of the operating system that will be put through its paces by businesses before the scheduled launch of Windows XP on Oct. 25 (see "Microsoft: Don't stop Windows 2000 rollouts to wait for XP," link below). An update of the code is expected later this month or during August, Microsoft said.

The release of RC1 comes less than a week after Microsoft decided to drop a controversial feature called Smart Tags from Windows XP. That technology was supposed to scan keywords in user documents and offer links to related Web sites, many of them operated by Microsoft entities or business partners (see "Microsoft caves to criticism, drops Smart Tags feature," link below).

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According to Microsoft, more than 500,000 beta testers have been working with Windows XP thus far, with about 100,000 users signed up for a fee-based preview program that lets them test drive the operating system. Program participants who ordered a copy of Windows XP RC1 should receive it immediately via downloads or the mail, depending on their preference, the company said.

Companies can receive evaluation kits for the Windows XP Professional release through Microsoft's TechNet Web site or through a subscription to the Microsoft Developer Network. New features due to come with the operating system include Windows Messenger, Microsoft's instant messaging service, and a "compatibility mode" that's supposed to let applications designed for earlier versions of Windows run on XP.








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