Want to test Windows Vista without installing it on your computer? Then head over at the Windows Vista Business test Drive. At the beginning of the past week, the website was not functional and it was presenting a message informing that the site was undergoing an updating process.

With the update down an over with, Windows Vista Business Test Drive is up and running. "The Windows Vista Business test-drive allows you to try (or test-drive) this latest operating system from Microsoft without having to install it on your PC. By simply logging onto our test-drive environment using your web-browser, you will be able to experience Windows Vista first hand. You can explore the product on your own, or follow along with guided exercises and videos", stated Microsoft.

The Windows Vista Business Test Drive website is powered by Microsoft Virtual Labs and requires users to have the following ActiveX control installed: Virtual Server VRMC Advanced Control. However, there are shortcomings associated with the initiative. The actual online testing of Vista Business is limited according to geographical location and language. But - although testing is limited - users will be able to access a wide array of video resources showcasing a variety of subjects spread across four chapters: the security, efficiency, connectivity and collaborative capabilities of Vista.

"The test drive is intended for evaluation purposes only and requires Internet Explorer 6 or later, a browser plug-in, and a broadband Internet connection. A minimum 1024 x 768 screen resolution is recommended. The Windows Vista version hosted in the test drive contains most of the functionality of the regular versions, but browsing the internet is not enabled. You may notice a slight delay or pause as you experience the product. This is due to the fact that this is a hosted trial and is dependent upon your bandwidth, local machine resources, etc. This does not necessarily represent the actual experience you will have with Windows Vista if it were installed on your PC," informs Microsoft.