The Redmond Company has announced the immediate availability of a pre release candidate one version of Windows Vista. Windows Vista pre-RC1, English 32-Bit Edition can be downloaded as a ISO file and Microsoft is delivering a Download Manager in partnership with Akamai Technologies to help deliver the operating system.

"Microsoft has partnered with Akamai Technologies to provide a Download Manager to help you get the ISO file for Windows Vista pre-RC1. This Akamai Download Manager lets you pause, resume, and stop the download of the file. It will also automatically restart the download if the process is temporarily interrupted. Due to the size of the download we strongly recommend you use the Akamai Download Manager," acknowledged the Redmond Company. The Windows Vista pre-RC1, English 32-Bit Edition ISO file is 2,58 GB.

However the pre-RC1 Vista variant is available only for a limited period of time and Microsoft has confirmed that it will close the program once it reaches the 100,000 downloads milestone. "After downloading, please install and test the build as soon as possible. Most importantly, if there is a crash, hang, or error - please make sure that you send the information back to us using the built-in Windows Error Reporting technology (a dialog box will display automatically). Sending this information is essential to helping us improve the overall quality of Windows Vista - and collecting this information is the primary purpose of distributing this pre-RC1 release," stated Microsoft.

Also, the Redmond Company is providing a guide to using the Akamai Download Manager and is advising testers to burn the ISO file onto a DVD prior to installation.