Microsoft Releases Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Microsoft today released the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Windows 8 is a crucial step going forward for Microsoft's strategy to merge the mobile and desktop. The new OS is available for free download, and includes the Windows store to download and install applications. 

One of the biggest changes in this version of Windows is the removal of Microsoft's long favorite start menu, which has been replaced with the Metro style start UI, where the traditional desktop is one of the many applications.






Microsoft is also doubling down on full screen applications like the internet explorer below, and cloud sync. It seems skydrive is going to find its niche in this version of Windows. From what Microsoft has explained about new sync services, it seems that not only Skydrive can compete head to head with Dropbox, iCloud and the rumored Google Drive, but also it might lead the game.

Another big change is that Windows 8 would be available for x86 as well as ARM CPUs. An ARM variant of the consumer preview is not available to download, which seems logical as there is not hardware to run it as of now.


The Verge has a further detailed cover of the story.