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December Vista preview coming soon

Ina Fried Former Staff writer, CNET News
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley.
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Ina Fried

After skipping a November release, Microsoft is expected early next week to deliver an updated test version of Windows Vista.

Enthusiast site Bink.nu said to expect the Community Technology Preview release on Monday. Microsoft said last month that it would have a release before the holidays, which would at least seem to narrow things to next week.

The software maker originally hoped to offer up monthly CTP releases of Vista, but said last month that it was giving up the calendar-based commitments while still hoping to have frequent updates.

Microsoft released the first CTP version in September at its Professional Developer Conference in Los Angeles. An updated version was issued in October.

As for the official beta releases, the first one came out in July, while Beta 2 is expected sometime next year, with a final release of Vista still slated for the second half of '06.