Vista Beta 2 Goes Public Today

Ok, not quite this minute. But later today (Redmond time), the links should work:

x86: http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x86/download.htm
Direct Download Link: http://download.windowsvista.com/dl...inmain_beta2_x86fre_client-LB2CFRE_EN_DVD.iso

x64: http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x64/download.htm
Direct Download Link: http://download.windowsvista.com/dl...nmain_beta2_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso

CD Key Signup: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx

EDIT - Ignore, should read first!

Memphis said:

Just to avoid newbie confusion, this is still only to those with MSDN subs right?

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Nope, that was released back during WinHEC (24th May.. ish). This is to the general public, anybody and everybody who wants a copy can download a copy and try it free of charge.

Yeah cheers for that mate, just read the home page for the site and caught the bit about enthusiasts getting a shot.

Doesn't work

Concorde Rules said:

Doesn't work

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csmager said:

Ok, not quite this minute. But later today (Redmond time), the links should work:

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when it's available later, will it be cd isos or dvd? i don't have any blank dvds....

marc2003 said:

when it's available later, will it be cd isos or dvd? i don't have any blank dvds....

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DVD ISO, but it'll install quite happily onto another partition or drive using something like Daemon Tools to mount it.

So how big is it and i assume you can dual boot? Whats going to happen when vista is actually released, can you instantly not use it?

I get access denied and when I go on the page it sends me to I can't see anything on it?

MS said:

Windows Vista Beta 2 and Windows Server “Longhorn” Beta 2 are available to developers and IT professionals with MSDN and TechNet Plus subscriptions.

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I take it this restriction is going away soon?

See posts 1 and 6. It's going to be released at some point today, it hasn't actually been released yet. The servers are being prepped, and until it's official, there's access restrictions - hence the message.

Amp34 said:

So how big is it and i assume you can dual boot? Whats going to happen when vista is actually released, can you instantly not use it?

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DVD ISO is 3.13Gb, iirc (for x86 - more for x64). MS advise you to have 15Gb minimum available on the target partition (in fact, setup prevents you installing unless you have this much space). It doesn't quite take up all that room, but it's pushing 10Gb from what I can see.

There servers are going to get hammered.

whats the differnce between x64 and x86? guess i should get x64. also is this a trial thing or perment, u get vista for free until its out?

x64 is for a 64bit architecture. I wouldn't bother downloading this if you don't have a 64 bit cpu.

And there's a 1 year limit on use, by all accounts. A newer build will be out before then, of course.

i do, check my sig, thats a x64 right? so best to go for the x64 right?

addy_010 said:

i do, check my sig, thats a x64 right? so best to go for the x64 right?

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Yep, x64 will work. Probably quite nicely from the beast of a pc you have.

If you dont have vmware, Ms virtual server is free if you dont have a spare pc to try it on or dont want to mess about with your main rig.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/default.mspx

Think Ill try it on vmware and see how it goes.

When it's out I'll certainly give it a try, and I just hope because it's Beta it wont mess up my hardware.