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Windows 2000 Beta 3 Available April 28

A week late, but never too soon, Windows 2000 Beta 3 is on its way to an IT shop near you April 28, two days after Microsoft Corp. will send it to OEMs. According to BetaNews (www.betanews.com), a site that posts news and downloads for various betas, OEM's will ship PCs with beta 3 and include a coupon for a free final version upon release.

Since Windows 2000 is such a jump from NT 4.0, Microsoft hopes business will use the beta version and test it out so when the final version, due in October, comes out, administrators won't be overwhelmed to implement it.

Microsoft will also announce a Corporate Partnership Program for users to purchase the beta, just like they have for other large beta releases. The company will use its Microsoft Certified Solutions Providers to sell the Beta 3 for $59.95.

By pushing back the date for the release, Microsoft misses the chance of releasing Beta 3 of Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Professional during Windows World in Chicago next week. -- Brian Ploskina, Assistant Editor

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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