Windows Server 2008, which was slated to release to manufacturing (RTM) by the end of the calendar year, is once again being pushed back due to unspecified quality concerns. The new target for Windows Server 2008 RTM is Q1 2008.
"Windows Server 2008 is releasing to manufacturing a bit later than expected because Microsoft's first priority is to deliver a quality product to our customers and we need a little more time to meet the high quality bar that we set for ourselves."
Windows Server 2008 is now in Beta 3, according to an entry on the Windows Server team blog, and has been downloaded over 300,000 times. Today's announcement marks the latest in a growing list of draw backs for Windows Server 2008, which has already had a number of features either delayed or stripped out in order to meet production schedules, namely, some server virtualization components that will be released six months after Windows Server 2008 launches.
The product is still scheduled for its official launch at an event in Los Angeles on 27 February, however. The launch event will feature Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008.