In concordance with Microsoft's initial plans to make available another beta of the Windows Sever codename Longhorn in the first half of 2007, speculations are now pointing to March as the period for the launch. The upcoming Windows Server Longhorn Beta 3 will be the first public release of the product.

Last year, just in time for Christmas, Microsoft has made available the December 2006 CTP of Windows Server Longhorn. However, the release was restricted to a limited pool of technical Beta Program participants. The Redmond Company then allowed MSDN and TechNet subscribers to access the CTP.

But before releasing the Holiday 2006 CTP of Windows Server Longhorn, Microsoft has also opened up the registrations for the Beta 3. “As many of you will have heard, we are on track to release our next major milestone of Windows Server "Longhorn" in the first half of 2007. Beta 3 will be feature-complete, and it will be the first *public* milestone of Windows Server "Longhorn", meaning that we'll be doing everything we can to get it into the hands of our partners and customers so that they can begin some serious testing (if they're not already),” revealed a member of the Windows Server Division.

Now with Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Exchange 2007 out of the way, Microsoft has geared its efforts toward Windows Server Longhorn. In this context, March 7 has been disclosed as the date when Beta 3 will become available.