Microsoft will delay the release of the RTM (release to manufacturing) version, or build number 5824, of its Windows Vista operating system (OS) to the second week of November from the originally scheduled fourth week of October, according to sources at Taiwan PC makers who were informed by the software giant of the revised schedule.

The RTM build 5824 was originally set to be released this week after reducing the number of bugs found in the Windows Vista Release Candidate 2 (RC2) version from 1,450 to around 500, the sources noted.

However, additional bugs were found in the RTM build 5824 version, and together the bugs could paralyze an upgraded Vista-capable Windows XP OS, said the sources. Microsoft has overcome the problems found in RTM build 5824, resulting in RTM build 5840, added the sources, noting that Microsoft will continue to test the new version until its release in November.

Despite the delayed launch of the RTM version, Microsoft assured PC makers that its plan to launch the business-use and home-use Vista OS in November 2006 and January 2007, respectively, remain unchanged, the sources stated.

Microsoft Taiwan said that the release of the business and home versions of Vista is on schedule as planned.