Beta 2 of Windows XP ready to go.

In an interview with eWEEK, Valentine said it was "all systems go" for a Friday release unless a priority one bug, or "show stopper," was found. "But, as of now, there are none of these," he said.

Beta two will be released to Microsoft´s (Nasdaq: MSFT) TechNet site, its MSDN subscribers and the internal standard beta test list, essentially reaching hundreds of thousands of potential beta testers.

Microsoft is also targeting consumers far more than business users with Windows XP, Valentine said.

Corporate customers have criticized Microsoft´s launch and marketing of Windows XP, saying the Redmond, Wash., company has done nothing to promote it to them or to explain why it is compelling in this space.