Vista is expected to be the first software product to ever sell one billion licenses. Consequently, the need for Microsoft to deliver a quality product is paramount.
Bill Gates recently implied that there is a 20% chance of a delay.
IMO, a 3-month slippage should be expected.
In any case, it’s interesting to note that Microsoft has consistently delivered monthly beta 2 builds.
The next big milestone is Release Candidate 1 (RC1).
Rumors are flying that RC1 will become available to Beta 2 testers on Tuesday, August 15.
The latest update is that Microsoft expects to ship RC1 on or after September 7. The build number will be around 5520.
Here’s my revised take on the Vista delivery roadmap.
| # | Milestone | Date |
| 1. | February CTP | February 22 |
| 2. | Beta 2: Build 5342 | May 23 |
| 3. | Beta 2: Build 5346 | June 25 |
| 4. | Beta 2: Build 5372 | July 17 |
| 5. | Beta 2: Build 5505 | August 11 |
| 6. | RC1: Build ~5520 | September 7 |
| 7. | RC1: Build ~5545 | October 7 |
| 8. | RC2: Build ~5570 | November 1 |
| 9. | RC2: Build ~5600 | November 15 |
| 10. | RTM Volume License | November 30 |
| 11. | Full Commercial Release | January 31, 2007 |
| 12. | Vista Server (Longhorn) RTM | Q4 2007 |
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