News

Longhorn December CTP Ships

Just as the holidays kicked off, Microsoft shipped the latest community technology preview of Windows "Longhorn" Server.

Microsoft shipped the second beta test version of Longhorn in May at its Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Seattle and shipped a follow-up, dubbed the August CTP, in mid-September. The newest release is referred to as the December CTP.

Longhorn was delayed until the second half of 2007 after Microsoft had to push back the release of Windows Vista early last spring. (See "Longhorn Server -- Slip Sliding Away?," April 26, 2006.) Although there is still plenty of time for Microsoft to delay Longhorn -- the server version of Vista -- yet again, the company's current stance is that it will ship on the revised schedule.

The December CTP is build number 6001.16406, which is the most recent build after 5600, which comprised the August CTP release.

However, only technical beta participants can download the current CTP. To get the download, go here.

About the Author

Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.

Featured

  • Report: Cost, Sustainability Drive DaaS Adoption Beyond Remote Work

    Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service reveals that while secure remote access remains a key driver of DaaS adoption, a growing number of deployments now focus on broader efficiency goals.

  • Windows 365 Reserve, Microsoft's Cloud PC Rental Service, Hits Preview

    Microsoft has launched a limited public preview of its new "Windows 365 Reserve" service, which lets organizations rent cloud PC instances in the event their Windows devices are stolen, lost or damaged.

  • Hands-On AI Skills Now Outshine Certs in Salary Stakes

    For AI-related roles, employers are prioritizing verifiable, hands-on abilities over framed certificates -- and they're paying a premium for it.

  • Roadblocks in Enterprise AI: Data and Skills Shortfalls Could Cost Millions

    Businesses risk losing up to $87 million a year if they fail to catch up with AI innovation, according to the Couchbase FY 2026 CIO AI Survey released this month.