A select group of Windows Vista SP2 testers have reportedly received a release candidate build of the operating system’s final service pack.

According to Ars Technica, Microsoft released the RC build of Vista SP2 yesterday. It also popped out a release candidate of Windows Server 2008 SP2 to an exclusive bunch of testers on 19 February.

However, at time of writing Microsoft hadn’t responded to our request for comment about any imminent release.

In January the firm handed over an “escrow” build of the Vista SP2 RC to handful of testers. It also confirmed that MS wonks were targeting a second quarter release schedule for the service pack.

“Microsoft is targeting a Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 delivery in Q2 2009," it said in a statement to The Register last month.

"As always, the final release date is based on quality and we will track customer and partner feedback from the beta program before setting a final date for distribution.” ®

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