Windows 8 Consumer Preview now available

Friday, 02 March, 2012

Microsoft last night launched a preview build of the upcoming Windows 8 operating system. Known as the ‘Consumer Preview’, the build is essentially a beta version of the OS and is available for download from Microsoft’s website.

As a consumer-focused preview, many of the enterprise features that would interest administrators are absent. However, the build provides a glimpse of the look and feel of the upcoming operating system - something administrators will no doubt have to come to grips with if they choose to deploy the OS.

Most notably, the Windows interface has been reimagined with touch-screen and pen input controls in mind, as well as the usual mouse and keyboard combination.

Videos and images of the OS are available at the Microsoft News Center, while the build itself is available from Microsoft’s preview subsite.

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