Windows Vista started sometime in 2002. If I recall correctly, Microsoft previewed an alpha version of Windows Longhorn in which it showcased a new visual style and the Sidebar. Longhorn then advanced through a variety of stages: Alpha 2 and 3, and then Builds 4051 and 5058.

As far, the operating system had a clean history. But starting with the first beta version of Windows Vista, in mid 2005, the first pirated copies of Vista started popping up on peer-to-peer networks. I performed a search on a tracker superindex and found Microsoft Windows Vista Codename Longhorn Beta1 32Bit that has been uploaded one year and six months ago. Both the 64-bit and the 32-bit editions are still available for download.

Next came Windows Vista Build 5219 and Build 5231, also known as Community Technical Preview 1 and 2. They are both still available for download since approximately one year and four months ago. Then Vista moved into the next stage, and Microsoft delivered build 5270. Microsoft Windows Vista Build.5270 DVD is still up for grabs after more than 11 months since the initial upload.

Windows Vista Build 5308 makes no exception to this list. On p2p networks, there is even a German version waiting for a download. Starting some nine months ago, Windows Vista Build 5365 ISO both x86 and x64 have also been cracked and offered for download.

Here we come at the end of the Beta 1 phase and we enter Beta 2. And of course that Windows Vista Beta 2 is a household name on peer-to-peer networks. In fact, so much so that judging by the volume of seeds and peers it is still a valid download.

Windows Vista Beta 2 then became Vista Build 5536, which made room for Windows vista release Candidate 1. On the tracker superindex that I entered the Windows Vista RC1 query, there are over 50 results containing all the terms. And last but not least, the Windows Vista retail DVD is also available for download.