BEIJING, Oct. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The second test version of Windows Vista was released by Microsoft corp.recently, which the company expects will be the final release before Vista hits market.

The software giant said the second test, called Windows Vista Release Candidate 2 (RC2), was developed according to "excellent feedback" received by RC1, a previous test version released in early September.

"RC2 reflects that feedback and includes important improvements in performance, application compatibility, and fit and finish work," said a statement released by Microsoft on Friday.

The company said RC2 is being made avaibleto its usual crop of technical testers and developers, as well as to some of the enthusiast consumers who are testing the RC1 version.

Microsoft expectedRC2 will be the final release before Vista goes into manufacturing.

"Microsoft expects the RC2 build to be the last interim release before the product is released to manufacturing," the company said.

Microsoft said that it is still on target to release Vista to business customers next month and to consumers in January 2007, though the company has postponed it several times by saying that the quality of the product is its highest priority. Enditem