Microsoft Releases 'Vista' Beta

Microsoft(MSFT Quote) lifted the curtain a little higher on its next operating system Wednesday with the release of its first beta version.

Microsoft said beta 1 of Microsoft Windows Vista, previously code-named Longhorn, improves security, manageability and performance. Windows Vista will also include a new user interface, but beta 1 offers only an early peek at some of its features.

The release of the first beta version of Windows Vista comes one day before Microsoft is scheduled to meet with investors at its annual analyst day in Redmond, Wash. Analysts and investors are looking to the new Windows operating system, scheduled for final release at the end of next year, to be a major earnings boost for the world's largest software company -- and translate to a much-needed bounce in its languishing stock. ...