Windows 8 Consumer Preview Released

 

Microsoft released the consumer preview of the much talked about Windows 8 at the Mobile World Congress 2012 yesterday. Microsoft had released the developer preview last year but this consumer preview is more stable with additional features.
Its is the first operating system by Microsoft which will be compatible with low power ARM microprocessors and will run on laptops, tablets and desktops – pointing at Microsoft’s desire to have one operating system to rule them all.
Windows 8 will have two main versions. One for the traditional x86 chips made by Intel for desktops and laptops, and a new version for the ARM microprocessors which have become the standard for tablets, smartphones and other portable devices.
The operating system uses a totally new interface, Metro, which is familiar for people using Windows Phones. In the new Metro interface, users will be able to see all their content and apps in ‘Live Tiles’. Some information displayed in these tiles includes Email, updates from Facebook, Twitter, latest blog posts, latest news, playlists, contacts etc.
All apps and functions are pinned to these tiles and interaction is as simple as clicking them. A full screen view of your tiles fills the desktop and it can be scrolled horizontally. The whole interface is customizable and you can pin apps, programs, document and webpages among other things. 
Windows 8 has literally got hundreds of new features so a rundown of what’s new would make this a very lengthy post, so give it a spin. The minimum requirements are:

• 1 GHz or faster processor
• 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
• 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution

There may be additional requirements to use certain features like Snap and Touch based gestures though.
The Windows 8 Consumer Preview is available worldwide for download in English, French, German, Japanese and simplified Chinese languages.
If you prefer ISO files, go to the following link to download the image files:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso
Or you can just go the following link let it decide which version would be suitable for you:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/consumer-preview
Note: Only upgrading from Windows 7 is treated as a full upgrade. If you upgrade from Windows XP or Windows 8 developer preview, only your user accounts and files will be saved and you’ll lose your settings and programs.


Best Regards
Aamir Noori