Microsoft Windows Vista Beta 1 Released

Update: Microsoft has announced the availabilty of Windows Vista Beta 1 at 9:05 a.m. PDT today. The build has not added to connect.microsoft.com yet, once its added we'll update this post.

Update: A Microsoft spokesperson has just let me know that Beta 1 is build 5112. MSDN subscribers can now download the build.

Paul Thurott just posted an interesting bit on his site:

"The big news, of course, regards when testers will be receiving access to Beta 1. Microsoft recently invited the first round of private testers into the Windows Vista beta, and many have emailed me, wondering when they'll get download access. Microsoft told me that technical beta testers, MSDN subscribers, and TechNet subscribers would all get access to Beta 1 starting today."

Microsoft has broken with tradition and released a set of images to the press from Vista Beta 1. The screenshots highlight new features found in Beta 1 including Internet Explorer 7, Virtual Folders and the pre-aero look and feel of the OS. We have hosted the images locally here at Neowin but they can also be viewed at Microsoft PressPass at low and hi-res.

Screenshot: PressPass Screenshots