Via BitTorrent trackers

Feb 27, 2009 08:02 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft is making consistent headway with the development of the second service pack for Windows Vista. On February 25, 2008, Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Release Candidate was released to MSDN and TechNet subscribers. At the same time, Microsoft confirmed the RC milestone for Vista SP2, even though the Release Candidate build had already left Redmond ahead of the MSDN and TechNet launch, to select testers and partners close to the company. The general availability of Vista SP2 RC is planned for the coming week, but fact is that the bits have already been leaked and are available for download via torrent trackers.

But as Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are joined at the hip starting with SP1, not only Vista SP2 RC but also Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC is up for grabs for all users with a BitTorrent client. However, with RC build of the service pack scheduled for general availability from Microsoft official channels at the start of March 2009, just around the corner, it makes sense for users to simply wait it out. But fact is that Windows Vista SP2 RC and Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC Build 6002.16670.090130-1715 (v.286) have been leaked even ahead of Microsoft opening up the testing pool to MSDN and TechNet subscribers.

On MSDN subscriber downloads, the Redmond company is offering mu_windows_vista_sp2_rc _and_windows_server_2008_sp2_rc_x86 _317366.exe; SHA1: 5FB05E7BF71C9F250E60602 D071FC0D 14482275D; ISO/CRC: 5543F171 (32-bit Vista SP2 RC and Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC) and mu_windows_vista_sp2_ rc_and_windows_server_2008_sp2_rc_x64_317368.exe; SHA1: E2D3F05C0F0CB960 D27FE9B88E65BBACC56E5D90; ISO/CRC: 3551D663 (64-bit Vista SP2 RC and Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC). At this point in time only the standalone packages of Vista SP2 RC appear to have been leaked. Microsoft is also offering the downloads as integrated slipstream ISO images and via Windows Update.

“SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 builds on the advancements delivered in SP1, and simplifies administration by enabling the deployment and support of a single service pack for client and servers. SP2 includes all of the updates that have been delivered since the release of SP1, along with support for new types of hardware and emerging standards that will grow in importance in the coming months,” revealed Celine Allee, director, Windows Client.