Articles about Windows XP

In what is to be the company's biggest software launch to date, Microsoft today released to manufacturing the final version of Windows XP. The announcement was made this morning in Redmond, while representatives from six computer manufacturers stood by to receive copies of the golden master complete with gold briefcases. Helicopters then lifted off with the PC makers in tow, set to begin building computers with the new operating system.

The final build, numbered 2600, was completed at 3 a.m. Saturday, August 18, after three minor bugs were discovered in 2542, the final interim release. 1,000 CDs were distributed to internal testers for a final run, and golden master disks were created Sunday. Final testing of the media and build itself completed Thursday, whereupon testers signed off on XP's release to manufacturing.

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Microsoft today announced the arrival of Windows XP Release Candidate 2, the final milestone before the upcoming operating system is released to manufacturing next month. Sporting build number 2526, RC2 is available for download from WindowsBeta, but will not be sent out on CD. The release will soon be made available to Windows Preview Program participants, but on an incremental basis in order to avoid previous problems. Ecstatic with XP's progress, the software giant proclaimed in an e-mail to testers that, "The end is in sight."

Despite its importance, very little is new in RC2. Microsoft has added an option to uninstall Internet Explorer and has removed the infamous Smart Tags, but claims the code is practically complete. "RC2 is simply a final checkpoint on the way to the final RTM. We are close to release and want to continue to get feedback, but there will be very few if any significant changes between RC2 and RTM," Windows product managers wrote in an e-mail to testers.

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In a startling blow to cross-platform developers, Microsoft has announced it will not include support for the Java programming language in the upcoming Windows XP. After settling a lawsuit with Java creator Sun Microsystems in January, the software giant decided the easiest way to prevent further litigation was to simply remove the code entirely. The settlement stipulated that Microsoft would no longer license Java from Sun, and refrain from stating that Windows is "Java Compatible." Outdated Java support will remain available as an added download from Windows Update if required.

Java's removal from the software giant's new operating system comes on the heels of announcements surrounding .NET, Microsoft Web services based on XML. These services are accessed over the Internet from a variety of devices. Coincidentally, Sun has been developing its own Java-based version of .NET, dubbed Jini. However, Microsoft vehemently denies claims that it intends to phase out support for Java as an attack on Sun.

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At long last, Microsoft today released Windows XP Release Candidate 1 to testers, sporting build number 2505. Beating the company's internal release goal of July 1, RC1 marks feature completion for Windows XP. Microsoft issued interim build 2502 earlier this week as a final check before the first release candidate was officially declared. The software giant is expected to make an announcement shortly to Preview Program participants, who will be given access to download the release.

Release Candidate 2 is slated to follow late next month, with a release to manufacturing at the end of August. In preparation for October's launch, Microsoft began a billion-dollar marketing campaign for Windows XP this week in Las Vegas.

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Microsoft today released to testers the final interim build before Windows XP is deemed Release Candidate 1. Build 2502 marks the seventh interim release since Beta 2 debuted in March. The much anticipated first release candidate will signify feature complete code, with only bug fixes and fine-tuning made thereafter. RC1 is expected to arrive sometime next week, slightly delayed from the original June 20 schedule.

It was previously reported that last week's 2494 would be the last interim release before RC1, but Microsoft beta coordinators clarified in an e-mail today that, "This build is NOT RC1. We expect to post RC1 for download within a week. If you have a slow connection to the net, you may wish to wait for RC1."

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Several BetaNews readers wrote in to notify us that Microsoft has released Build 2446 of the upcoming Windows XP. Sent to testers earlier this week, one reader reports Microsoft has removed the registry key that disables product activation in an effort to fight piracy. The final release of Windows XP is expected in the fall, with Beta 2 coming up shortly. Keep checking back for further information as Microsoft continues to develop Windows XP.

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