Microsoft primary announced the “Longhorn” in July 2001, even earlier than the launch of Windows XP in October the same year. At first, Longhorn is estimated to go on sale at the range in 2003 as a stepping stone between Windows XP and “Blackcomb” (now known as “Windows 7“). Gradually, “Longhorn” in fact built with many features and new technologies from “Blackcomb”, so its release date was repeatedly delayed. Microsoft then announced on August 27, 2004 that the company has made significant changes. Development “Longhorn” is repeated again and based on the base Windows Server 2003. Some previously announced features, such as WinFS, was canceled.
After “Longhorn” was named to Windows Vista, a beta-test program started, concerning hundreds of thousands of volunteers and companies. In September 2005, Microsoft began to launch a Community Technology Previews (CTP) for the regular-beta testers. The first release is build 5219, invitations were distributed to those present at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC) 2005, and was also released to Microsoft Beta testers and MSDN subscribers.