Windows 8 Release Preview by Microsoft Corp.

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preview version of Windows 8 This is the official preview version of Microsoft's next operating system. Windows 8 is built on the Windows 7 core and introduces a new touch interface, optimized for portable devices. The drastically new look is mainly caused by the new navigation system which replaces the old Start Menu and uses large, colorful tiles and hideaway toolbars that appear when you hover your mouse in the left or right screen corner. The Metro navigation looks to be great on a touchscreen device, but the fact that Microsoft has removed the Start button completely, and forces all users to use Metro in order to access apps and features is a massive flaw, IMHO. I cannot imagine that MS will not reinstate some sort of Start menu, at least as an option, before the final version ships. If you exit the Metro interface, you will find a familiar Windows 7 desktop with icons, right-click menus and Windows Explorer - alas no Start button. The common settings and configuration dialogs have been simplified and optimized for touch screen access and portable devices. The Control Panel, device manager and other advanced configuration options have mostly remained unchanged from Windows 7. (Check out our screenshots!) Windows 8 also includes an (App) Store with integrated video and game purchases and downloads, similar to the XBox 360 Guide. Another big change is that you can choose to run Windows 8 under a local account or a Microsoft account, which is required for many of the new media features (music, video, calendar, mail etc.) and integrates your Windows user account with many Microsoft services. (Not so sure about this one.) The download comes as an ISO disk image that needs to be burned to a DVD. Keep in mind that this is just a preview version and will expire at some point, do not replace you current operating system with this. We recommend installing it on a spare computer or virtual machine. We have more screenshots posted on Facebook. Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF

Product Details

Publisher	Microsoft Corp.(33)	Popularity	3
Price	Free	O/S	Win (All)
Version	Beta ...history	Requirements	None
Last updated	May 31, 2012	File Size	n/a Kb

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Latest user reviews:

Good grief here comes the next generationby gimpguy Jul 02, 2012 (Read all my 1022 reviews)

After testing this for some time, I will not recommend this and it seems to follow the order of this... 95, ME, Vista, now...Windows 8.... Sure there are a few fans of the listed above but as a technician and constant user, I will personally say I can't stand the thought of these and Windows 8 is no exception in my opinion. I kept in mind this is not a final release but it caused havok with all internet connections of computers this was installed on. Bandwidth sucking at it's finest, if only to find what's doing it. The search continues... The UI is horrendous. What was someone thinking? Going for touch screen I understand and I felt like touching my screen alright, with a baseball bat. Ok, you want touch screen? Fine. Then allow us non-touch screen types to bring back a standard interface. For the most part, it's nothing but an over-blown Windows 7 with advertisements and a quirky UI that reminds me a lot of... Unity?? Heh, if this was produced by a corporation they may claim copyright infringement but we know MS doesn't do such things as steal ideas... right?? Any Ubuntu user may disagree... I was highly disappointed by this OS both in features and usage. It did handle networks better than 7, but perhaps with the cost of a solid connection thus far. Again, it's not completed so it may deserve a chance, however, I see little hope for this except those who want new new new, otherwise, no. Show review details

• Interface
• Features
• Ease of use
• Value
• Recommend to a friend? No
• Posted Jul 02, 2012 for vBeta

Microsoft gets it wrong, badlyby ianmacm Mar 02, 2012 (Read all my 149 reviews)

If ever I have a Windows 8 computer, the first thing that will happen is a trip to the registry to disable the Metro UI interface. Amazingly, Microsoft will not allow you to do this, even though it is unnecessary on a desktop or laptop computer. Simple tasks like shutting off the computer are ridiculously difficult in Metro, did nobody notice this during development? Worse still, the Metro UI is little more than an Apple-style advertisement for a range of Microsoft products and services. Metro UI is a triumph of style over substance, and is likely to lead to the same complaints that dogged the launch of Vista. Show review details

• Interface
• Features
• Ease of use
• Value
• Recommend to a friend? No
• Posted Mar 02, 2012 for vBeta