Microsoft have alerted testers of Whistler, Microsofts next generation of the Windows operating system that they are making substantial changes to this product and they are already producing a second beta release.

The testers have not been informed as to these changes, but Microsoft privately alerted them that there are changes to the look and feel of the destop versions of Whistler and Microsoft are taking high security precautions to ensure that the testers, press and public do not get to see these changes until the product goes to beta 2. This is expected around the 12 February.

Microsoft also state that Whistler will be the most important Windows release since the company produced Windows 95 in August 1995.

The first beta release of Whistler was released to testers in October 2000 and since then they have released interim version to selected testers. Even though these testers have signed non-disclosure agreements, information has been released. However, this time Microsoft are not even allowing testers to view code or interfaces to stop the changes from being leaked.

However, word about the changes are already getting about and one tester stated that Microsoft may be changing the desktop by introducing a graphical user interface based on the Microsoft .net theme code-named Luna.

Microsoft are also planning on changing all the Whistler icons as well as the look and feel of Internet Explorer, to include version 6.0.

In recent months, Microsoft have been discussing the future of Internet Explorer and where it will go in future. Some have suggested that a move to using Netdocs as a default interface in future should be considered. Netdocs is intended to compete with Microsoft Office as an integrated knowledge worker and is not as yet in beta stage. Others have backed using the MSN Explorer browser rather than using IE 6.0. Internet Explorer 6.0 may appear as a standalone version and also part of the Whistler version.