Starting tonight at 8pm, Microsoft is letting anyone download the official developers preview of Microsoft Windows 8 for free. The download will come in both 32bit and 64bit versions. Upgrade from Windows 7 installation is not supported for pre-release code. It is only for clean installs.
There has been a lot of buzz around Windows 8 on the blogosphere. Microsoft is upping their game with a new design and many new features to compete with Apple.
More details about the Windows 8 installation can be found at the Windows 8 Blog.
This is a beta version on the program. A beta version is basically a test version of a software program. The program has been written and the author(s) think that it is probably bug free, but they aren’t 100% sure. So they release a test version. Sometimes the test version is open to the public, sometimes just to a select group.
In any event, if you download a pre-release or beta version of a program, keep in mind that, since it is a test version, you may encounter problems. These problems are generally isolated to the program, but it may accidentally cause damage to other software on your machine (especially shared files). So, beta test at your own risk!
I don’t like to download software during initial releases, let alone a preview. I like for the developers to get the kinks out first. If anyone downloads Windows 7, please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. I’m wondering if it will give Apple a run for it’s money.
