Windows 8 Consumer Preview starts 9am EST

[blubbermarble]

Microsoft will prepare a beta version of Windows 8 known as "Consumer Preview" at 9am EST today.
The build number will be known as 8250. So, get prepared.
New features will include:

• Charms Bar
• Snapping
• Windows App Store
• New file system ReFS

Download the CP (You need to wait at 9am EST)

 

[431unknown]

I'll be all on it like stink on shit. Wonder what will be in the app store.

 

[FireGrey]

I just re-installed the dev preview after getting rid of XP on my dual boot.
I will have to install this, I hope it's a great improvement over the dev preview, which was a disappointment,

 

[RupeeClock]

Looking into this, I have to say I'm far from in favour of removing the good old start button for the charm bar.
It's obvious they're trying to develop Windows into a tablet friendly environment but that's no good when the majority of Windows software (which is not from Microsoft itself) is not tablet dependent or enhanced.

 

[naglaro00]

Metro apps only on resolutions 1024*768 or higher?

What?

I thought Metro was netbook/tablet-centric

Don't most netbooks have a screen resolution of 1024*600?

 

[Magsor]

Well.. i was ready... guess ill have to wait...anyhow i just figured out last week that you can install windows 8 on the same partition along with xp (with a vhd). I have been using eight since day one and loving it but i still cant part with XP

 

[jrk190]

Metro apps only on resolutions 1024*768 or higher?

What?

I thought Metro was netbook/tablet-centric

Don't most netbooks have a screen resolution of 1024*600?

I haven't downloaded the dev or consumer previews for this reason. It makes no sense that it won't run on my netbook. Seeing as the requirements are supposed to be lower than XP, I don't see why it won't run. It's as if they expect it to only run on iPads or something. XD But I just hope it isn't a resource *Cough*Vista*Cough* hog.

---

 

[Sheimi]

I will download this when I will get home. Would I be able to install this on a dual boot partition with a USB Drive?

 

[chris888222]

To be honest, I don't really like Windows 8. To me, it just doesn't seem right for computers...

 

[RupeeClock]

In my opinion, Microsoft are trying to turn Windows 8 into a toy like tablets rather than an actual computing system.
Computers, I mean real computing and not just meager web browsing or enjoyment of video games, shouldn't be dumbed down for the sake of inviting even the most computer illiterate, we should instead push computer technology that encourages the user to learn through good logistics and design, what makes sense, consistency and user heuristics.

Think about it the charm menu is really inconsistent with the windows themselves. I dread to think what this next step of Windows OSes will do to office computers.

 

[celcodioc]

Downloading right now, will install it on a virtual machine.
Is this the equivalent of the Windows 7 beta?

 

[Hebon]

I don't believe that Microsoft would create an OS that's so different from it's previous iterations, without including some sort of Classic Mode. If Windows 8 is nothing more than a glorified tablet OS, it would really keep hardcore computer users away.

 

[chartube12]

Downloading right now, will install it on a virtual machine.
Is this the equivalent of the Windows 7 beta?

Yes.

The requirements? well the ram required is more then xp but the cpu required is slightly less then xp. But the gpu requires ments are slightly less to on bar with vista.

The metro is just a replacement for the start menu, the desktop is still there. Only tablets or arm based will mostly be w/o the desktop. "classic mode" is now the xp style for 64bit. Not so sure of 32bit. Can't even buy a 32bit PC anymore. 32bit versions of Windows 7 and 8 only exist for older PCs. I'm willing to bet in another 5-10 years 64bit will start to be slowly replaced with 128 bit PCs.

 

[celcodioc]

I don't believe that Microsoft would create an OS that's so different from it's previous iterations, without including some sort of Classic Mode. If Windows 8 is nothing more than a glorified tablet OS, it would really keep hardcore computer users away.

The final version should have a "classic mode" - completely disable the Metro interface. I have no idea whether it's included in this version or not, though.

 

[tj_cool]

iso dowload: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso

 

[Rydian]

Some info on ReFS.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5433/microsofts-refs-filesystem-for-windows-8-server-explained

In my opinion, Microsoft are trying to turn Windows 8 into a toy like tablets rather than an actual computing system.
Computers, I mean real computing and not just meager web browsing or enjoyment of video games, shouldn't be dumbed down for the sake of inviting even the most computer illiterate, we should instead push computer technology that encourages the user to learn through good logistics and design, what makes sense, consistency and user heuristics.

Think about it the charm menu is really inconsistent with the windows themselves. I dread to think what this next step of Windows OSes will do to office computers.

Isn't metro opt-out?

 

[chartube12]

Some info on ReFS.
http://www.anandtech...erver-explained

In my opinion, Microsoft are trying to turn Windows 8 into a toy like tablets rather than an actual computing system.
Computers, I mean real computing and not just meager web browsing or enjoyment of video games, shouldn't be dumbed down for the sake of inviting even the most computer illiterate, we should instead push computer technology that encourages the user to learn through good logistics and design, what makes sense, consistency and user heuristics.

Think about it the charm menu is really inconsistent with the windows themselves. I dread to think what this next step of Windows OSes will do to office computers.

Isn't metro opt-out?

Didn't see my post? Metro replaces the start menu in final version. Metro won't be opt-out.

 

[Rydian]

Didn't see my post? Metro replaces the start menu in final version. Metro won't be opt-out.

On just tablets or what? On just tablets it's known and understandable as ARM won't run many windows programs anyways so the need for the original UI is lesser.

 

[chartube12]

Didn't see my post? Metro replaces the start menu in final version. Metro won't be opt-out.

On just tablets or what? On just tablets it's known and understandable as ARM won't run many windows programs anyways so the need for the original UI is lesser.

The way I hear it, it will be up to tablet makers (who aren't using arm version) if they want to disable the desktop. Since it would be just disable, a hack or patch should allow easily reactivating it.

 

[Rydian]

A main concern is desktop users, if the original UI is available there for backwards compatibility that's fine.