Vista bug delays release

Some days, you'd swear Vista just couldn't catch a break. After the release of RC2 (build 5824), it finally seemed like the system was getting ready to roll. The bug count had shifted down from almost 1,500 to a teenie-tiny (?!) 500. Of course, one of those 500 had to be an utter showstopper...

Though the bug was not described in detail, one beta tester said that it "would totally crash the system, requiring a complete reinstall." Once it had been reported, it was hunted down and squashed within a week - just a bit too long to hit the October 25 RTM date. The newly compiled build, 5840, is now in the process of being further tested.

Assuming the new build passes specs, Vista will go to RTM as quickly as possible - the new target is November 8. Microsoft still intends to maintain its January release, despite the issue. Of course, nobody has mentioned much about the other 499 nasty little critters still crawling through the code...but one would suppose that's why Windows Update exists.

Another day, another delay. Do you think Windows Vista will make it to consumers by the January deadline? More importantly, should it? Tell us your thoughts in our forums.