Microsoft Corp. yesterday launched its widest release yet of the beta version of the Windows Vista operating system.

The beta can be downloaded from Microsoft's Web site. Released under the Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer Preview Program, it will give Microsoft opportunities to receive greater user feedback and make adjustments prior to the product's scheduled debut in January 2007.

Earlier, more-limited beta releases have already resulted in changes to security features in the User Account Control (UAC) announced yesterday.

The next full beta version is due in late August, which is later than the mid-July release Microsoft had previously planned on.

Windows Vista is the first full revamp of Microsoft's ubiquitous operating system since Windows XP debuted in October 2001.

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