Windows 8 Consumer Preview due February 29: why it's not called beta

Summary: The Windows 8 Consumer Preview will be available for download on February 29. Why isn’t it called a beta? Blame Google. And Apple. And Microsoft. Especially Microsoft.

more at source..

 

[davehc]

Help me out, someone?

As a result of this, and other, threads, I cleaned out the developer in anticipation of the imminent so-called, consumer release. This got me going on research as to the forthcoming possibilities.
As the news is so universal, I have no real reason to doubt it, but could anyone point me to an original Microsoft source which actually says the Consumer/or Beta, will, in fact, be available for download from the time of the Spanish conference. I could only find a positive reference to the "Store" beta.

 

[Lemur]

I'm psyched!

 

[Lemur]

Help me out, someone?

As a result of this, and other, threads, I cleaned out the developer in anticipation of the imminent so-called, consumer release. This got me going on research as to the forthcoming possibilities.
As the news is so universal, I have no real reason to doubt it, but could anyone point me to an original Microsoft source which actually says the Consumer/or Beta, will, in fact, be available for download from the time of the Spanish conference. I could only find a positive reference to the "Store" beta.

Quick news: The Windows 8 Consumer Preview will be available February 29th - Microsoft Press - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

 

[davehc]

Yeah. I found that one - Just a headline with no backing. Could be where it all started?

 

[plasmamantra]

Windows 8, waiting for the preview.. lets hope something new and advanced...

 

[floods7]

I remember when the Release Candidate came out for W7, is this the equivalent, or will there be a more complete release before the final version shipped to stores?

 

[Airbot]

CP won't be equivalent to the RC. Rather to the Beta version first. Even though they're not going to call it "Beta".

So after this I'm sure there will be a RC equivalent version released later on at some point.

 

[floods7]

Damn, I was hoping this would be the equivalent. Do you think this version will be stable enough to run as a primary OS?

 

[Airbot]

It's like any "Beta state" would be in I'm sure in that it's not recommended as your primary. In that you can run it, and probably run it just fine but don't have an "official" guarantee you won't have any problems.

That said, many have run even the "DP" dev preview version (alpha state) as a primary without any crucial problems.

If it's anything as stable as Windows 7 Beta was back in the day even, then you should be fine.

I ran my primary from the Win 7 beta without any major problem. Then on until the RC came out, then went to final. Sure a lot of others did as well.

 

[Dave76]

I ran Win 7 beta in a dual boot, didn't use Vista at all, same with Win 7 RC...

The Win 8 DP is very stable for me, I'll still dual boot CP with Win 7, for a little while.

 

[Nickmix01]

We know that Microsoft would be releasing Windows 8 consumer preview on February 29 and according to various sources the consumer preview build would be build 8250. Today couple of screenshots has been posted on the Chinese site PCBETA showing that build 8250 has been compiled. Here are the screenshots of build 8250



Various sources are indeed claiming that Windows 8 build 8250 has been compiled though the complete build string of this build is currently unknown. Also according to various sources Microsoft has provided this build to various major OEM partners.

From Windows 8 consumer preview build 8250 screenshots emerged | Windows 8 Beta

 

[CB]

A week far from the due date, hope it's really a fixed date.

 

[bagavan]

I hope the MS servers wont be flooded with too much of downloads..I hope the download speed will be decent.

 

[CB]

MS won't authorize any mirror download?

 

[bagavan]

MS won't authorize any mirror download?

I think they wont.

 

[CB]

Yeah, never seen one.

 

[Night Hawk]

You will first need to sign up at the MS Connect site or at the passport.com site to have the correct id before you can download on the 29th. First you will want to review the page seen at How to apply to become a beta tester for Microsoft

 

[24c]

Not sure why, but I am surprised a Connect account is needed.

 

[Dave76]

MS stated it will be available to anyone that wants to D/L it, thus the new name Consumer Preview.

 

[burtie]

I was just about to install the developer preview (again) today...should I hold off for a few days until this is released?