Microsoft ships Windows 2000 Beta 3 Release Candidate

The release of Windows 2000 got a little closer on Wednesday when Microsoftissued the "release candidate" for Beta 3. The Windows 2000 Beta 3 ReleaseCandidate is a possible Beta 3 build, depending on the feedback of RapidDeployment Partners (RDP), OEM partners, and the thousands of technicalbeta testers that should have the build within two days. CDs of the ReleaseCandidate will be shipped out next week, the company confirmed.

"[Beta 3 contains] fit-and-finish work, aimed at setup and ease of use,"said Jonathan Perera, the lead product manager for Windows 2000 Server."The purpose of [release candidate] is to get detailed technical feedback.Across the board, I would expect a user to have a much easier time withsetup of the OS."

Included in Windows 2000 Beta 3 are a Wizard for setting up ActiveDirectory, dozens of new drivers for multimedia devices, and an integratedversion of Terminal Server--now dubbed Terminal Services--that actuallyworks.

"We just want to demonstrate to customers that we're on track for afirst quarter 1999 release of Beta 3," said Perera, noting that there willprobably be at least a couple of release candidates before the officialBeta 3, which is due in January.

Beta 3 also marks the departure of Moshe Dunie from the Windows team.Brian Valentine will take his place. Moshe lead the development of WindowsNT 4.0, Windows 98, and, until this week, Windows 2000. Moshe says he hasdecided to spend some time with his family after years of non-stop workand dedication to Windows, though he will return at an unspecified date towork with Paul Maritz on some of the challenges facing Windows in thefuture.

The Windows 2000 Beta 3 release candidate is build 1946.1. Expect a reviewon the Windows 2000 Supersite this weekend