Windows 8 developers preview is up to download to the public from Microsoft.

Microsoft has released Windows 8 Developer's Preview to the public link to download page

Keep in mind this a pre-beta version they are releasing to the public to test out. There is no WGA and you can install it on any and all hardware you have to try it out.

They really want public opinion on this while it's still in development. They did the same thing with Windows 7. They are striving to make a good product to compete with the iPad and Android base.

I see no detail about how long it is. Is it 30days? A year? Is it even usable?

Just got Windows 7 and now there coming out with this X_X.

Atleast 7 was a major upgrade from Vista. Will be fun to use once I break down and get it (After it's official release).

Originally posted by 8ILlBILl8
I see no detail about how long it is. Is it 30days? A year? Is it even usable?

They didn't say so it's up in the air on that. It will defiantly be longer than 30 days as it's pre-beta and it will get updates and security updates too.

It's usable. I have it dual booting with Windows 7. I haven't had any crashes or lock ups.

Originally posted by TheWorldSpins
Just got Windows 7 and now there coming out with this X_X.

Atleast 7 was a major upgrade from Vista. Will be fun to use once I break down and get it (After it's official release).

Windows 7 SP1 will be supported till 2015 so don't worry. If they release another service pack it will add an additional two years of support to it.

I also upgraded to Win 7 from Vista lol.

reply to post by TheWorldSpins


snap son, I'm going back to vista. haha. I cant stand 7.. not to mention 7 is weaker for processing.

I didn't like Vista, Window 7 is
alright for now. Think I will wait
a while before downloading
Windows 8. I can't keep up with
them any longer

The one thing they will never do? Make everyone happy

reply to post by GNUFanx86


Not too worried about them supporting it but thanks for the news. (Y)


reply to post by ConspiraCity


Good luck with that sir, think i'll try Ubuntu soon .


reply to post by Blaine91555


Yep. If someone isn't happy with what they offer then they shouldn't complain about. Many OS's out there that they can try

Mac OS X Lion has iOS elements in it and GNOME is going touch UI as well as Ubuntu with Unity. Touch UIs are here to stay unfortunately.

I might try downloading it on my youngest sons computer, he is still running windows XP. (Bad mommy ~for the download, not XP) Everythign I have read about it, I already don't like, such as the built in anti virus, and all the junk programs. I want to do the BETA so I can complain about it.

reply to post by calstorm


The junk apps are to test out the hardware on tablets though most work on the desktop too.

reply to post by calstorm

built in anti virus

Thanks for letting us know - now I know I don't want
it. Don't want to try an anti-virus that hasn't been checked
out very much. I will patiently wait.

ETA: I'd be tempted to download the Beta just to try it out, but I don't want to set up a triple-boot system. Hmmmmm. I wonder if it can be downloaded to a USB?

Originally posted by LadySkadi
I wonder if it can be downloaded to a USB?

sure it can.
But you might want to consider this take on the giant leap forward Windows 8 is before you bother
Progress!!

reply to post by GNUFanx86


I tested it and I do not like it at all. I am hoping when they release Beta it be better. It is not desktop friendly at all and it is just weird.

reply to post by LadySkadi


You don't need a triple boot system just to try a new operating system, you can use a virtual machine.

As some are better at some things than others, I use Microsoft's Virtual PC, Oracle's VirtualBox or VMware Player. They are all free and Windows 8 developers preview runs on Virtual Box, I just tried it.

This Windows 8 is a little strange, I think that at the moment the user interface is a mix of several things, and that's probably why they published it, to get to know what people say about it and know what way they should go.

PS: some people even use VMware or Virtual Box to run Mac OS X on a PC.

reply to post by ArMaP


Virtual box completely slipped my mind, that is a great option. Thanks for the suggestion, now another question: Should I run the VM in Linux or XP? Does it matter?

ETA: 32bit/64bit awareness, gotcha.

reply to post by LadySkadi


I don't think it matters, except for the 32/64 bits difference.

I'm not sure, but I think that only a 64 bit operating system can use a 64 bit virtual machine. That's why I downloaded the 32 bit version of Windows 8, I can try it in any computer.