Windows 8 Developer Preview release

DOWNLOADS AVAILABLE NOW!!

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/home/

If you’ve been following this blog, then you know today is a big day for the Windows team. At the BUILD conference we are about to preview Windows 8. There’s a ton to see in the product and so we’d really encourage everyone to check out the available streams on http://buildwindows.com, where we will webcast the keynote. The BUILD conference this week is focused on developers and hardware partners, and there are over 100 sessions (all of which will be available from the link above within about a day of the scheduled presentation time). In that sense it is good to keep in mind that today is the launch of the developer opportunity for Windows, not the launch of a product (and certainly not the launch of new devices).

Windows 8 represents a reimagining of Windows from the chipset to the experience. Since this is a week focused on developers, we also detailed the bold underpinnings of the re-imagination of the Windows platform, tools, and APIs. We will show off the opportunity to build applications for all of the customers of Windows 8, no matter what type of PC they have—from tablets to laptops to convertibles to desktops. We will show the brand new tools that allow you to code Metro style applications in HTML5/JavaScript, C/C++, and/or C#/XAML. The investments you have made as developers in all of these languages carry forward for Windows 8, which lets you choose how to best make use of the Windows 8 system services. We talked about Windows 8 being a no-compromise OS for end-users, and it is also a no-compromise platform for developers.

Many are interested in Windows 8 for ARM processors. Everything we showcased today at BUILD also runs on the ARM-based Windows PCs being created by ARM partners and PC manufacturers. Windows 8 running on ARM will ultimately be available with ARM-based hardware that you can purchase. ARM requires a deeper level of integrated engineering between hardware and software, as each ARM device is unique, and Windows allows this uniqueness to shine through. The new development tools enable you to start today to build Metro style applications that will seamlessly run on x86 (32 and 64 bit) or ARM architectures. Even if you use native C/C++ code, these tools will enable Metro style apps to target specific hardware if you choose. As new PCs become available for testing, PC manufacturers will develop seed programs for developers.

You probably want to try out the preview release—and you can. Starting at 8PM today, Seattle time, you can download all of the code that attendees at BUILD received. This includes 32 or 64 bit x86 builds, with or without development tools. The releases also include a suite of sample/SDK applications and the SDK (please note these are merely illustrations of potential apps, not apps that we intend to ship with Windows 8). The ISOs are linked to from http://dev.windows.com. You download with a Windows Live ID (which you might want to use to test out some of the new roaming features).

Upgrade from Windows 7 installation is not supported for pre-release code; only clean installs are supported. Reminder: this is a developer preview release and is not meant for production. It is not a beta release. We will be updating the release with various quality updates and drivers over the coming weeks/months just to exercise our overall update and telemetry mechanisms.

We’ve got a lot more blogging to do. So stay tuned. This blog continues to be a big part of the development process. Now we have a lot more shared context, and so we expect folks commenting on posts to be running the Preview so we share in the context of the release. Let’s keep comments focused on the topic at hand and we’ll pay attention for potential new topics. We know there will be a lot—that comes from reimagining a product used by a billion people!
--Steven

More...


See also:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...-usb-dvd-windows-8-developer-preview-iso.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...dows-upgrade-windows-8-developer-preview.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2241-virtualbox-install-windows-8-developer-preview.html

 

[skreamnight]

you know when i first heard of windows 8 was 2009 coz of my cousin and thought what would it be??

after waiting for years, as i have my plan a success it feels like i really miss Windows 7 and maybe i could be compatible on both at sometime and i really need to have my windows 7 returned safe and sound with complete files and applications but since im in windows 8 i need to extend at least 1 year coz it will expire on march 2012

 

[alphanumeric]

I ran it for a couple of days on an old Acer Aspire 5920 Laptop and the word that comes to mind to describe my experience is "frustrating". So much so that I've nuked it and replaced 8 with a fresh install of 7. I'm sure it would have been a totally different experience on something with a touch screen but I'm not impressed with the "Forced use of" the metro UI on any thing else. No traditional start menu just added to the frustration for me. I've been around computers and the Windows operating system all my life, so just let say I'm not here just to bash Microsoft. I am very very happy to have spent money on Windows 7. I don't see that happening for windows 8 unless Microsoft makes some concessions for the "touch challenged" users out there. I'm really wishing I had a tablet to test this on right now but I don't. Maybe some day though, and another shot at running Windows 8 with a more pleasurable experience. I realize I could have tweaked (hacked) things to get it to work and look more like windows 7 but I'd rather just run windows 7 in that case. All I can say is at this time windows 8 just doesn't do it for me.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Points

I cut my computer teeth on old IBM mainframe systems (IBM MVS/370) so I'm by no means a Windows or even a GUI type user unlike people who'se only experience with computers are Windows / Linux / Mac like computers with a screen GUI and a Mouse so If I can master it anyone can !!!!.


1) This is NOT W7 so it will have a different "Learning Curve" -- take the time to spend at least a day or two trying it out instead of just attempting to replicate W7 key shots. I'm not young any more so this is nothing to do with "W8 is only for youngsters of the ipod and iPhone generation".


2) At logon it goes really fast just double click the photo image to get the Green Login logo where you can enter your name

3) click the Desktop Metro app to get the W7 "Classic desktop" - you can run programs directly from the desktop if you've created the short cuts or go to the Metro apps and choose one of your own applications for example EXCEL that you might use regularly -- right click on it and on the properties at te bottom of the Green screen choose pin to taskbar. Now from the Desktop you can run directly from the quick start taskbar. (Enable this in the standard display settings).

This method of working is about 99.9% of how I do it in W7 anyway -- I don't use the Start menu very often in any case. My common apps like excel are on the task bar and the few complicated to find ones I have a desktop short cut.

To close the system use the W8 start bar - choose settings and on the right hand side on the green section you've got your shut down options.

For the Control panel --click on the metro app and then change to desktop view --same for Internet explorer.

"Seeeeemples"

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

Downloading/searching for victim......

Update....Installed/ see system spec's....works better than expected (honestly had no ideal if it was capable of booting)....The interface is.....different

 

[mikedl]

LOL!
Ivan! Where the heck you been?

Good to see you back!

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

LOL!
Ivan! Where the heck you been?

Good to see you back!

Where I been? Been on the 7 forums helping a increasingly ungrateful crowd...where YOU been?

 

[mikedl]

LOL!
Ivan! Where the heck you been?

Good to see you back!

Where I been? Been on the 7 forums helping a increasingly ungrateful crowd...where YOU been?

Playing with Win8 ... what else?
I figure I've already done about as much as I can with Win7 ... so ...

Thanks for holding down the fort. I suppose it's time I go back and visit more often.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

LOL!
Ivan! Where the heck you been?

Good to see you back!

Where I been? Been on the 7 forums helping a increasingly ungrateful crowd...where YOU been?

Playing with Win8 ... what else?
I figure I've already done about as much as I can with Win7 ... so ...

Thanks for holding down the fort. I suppose it's time I go back and visit more often.

Even though I just registered here a not a lot is going on I check here first.....

 

[aem]

LOL!
Ivan! Where the heck you been?

Good to see you back!

Where I been? Been on the 7 forums helping a increasingly ungrateful crowd...where YOU been?

Playing with Win8 ... what else?
I figure I've already done about as much as I can with Win7 ... so ...

Thanks for holding down the fort. I suppose it's time I go back and visit more often.

I disappeared for more than a year and just returned to SF but yeh finding it hard going with the new crowds over there.

Can't wait for Windows 8 to really come out.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

You didn't miss much Dirt 2 Games for windows live problem - Windows 7 Forums The original poster was nice, but the necro poster is a piece of work

 

[essenbe]

I'm really glad to see you here Ivan. Now when I get in over my head, I have someone else to ask for help. I do have a habit of doing that.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

I am in over my head just being here ....Lots of knowledgeable members coming aboard.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

I'm really glad to see you here Ivan. Now when I get in over my head, I have someone else to ask for help. I do have a habit of doing that.

Were all in over our heads.....

 

[mikedl]

Indeed, Ivan, but we're swimming!

Always a pleasure, Ivan.

 

[Tews]

Well, I finally got around to installing WDP8 using the on-line installation! Its going to take a bit of getting used to, but so far everything is working! Cheers to all!

 

[mikedl]

Cheers to you, as well, Tews!

Have fun! It's going to be a great ride ...

 

[windows]

I will get my computer protected! Thank you!

 

[CB]

I tried working with HP Touch-screen monitor. Did not work as I expected. The touching area was inaccurate, and hard to calibrate. May be the monitor isn't fully compatible yet.

 

[johnwillyums]

Hi all I trust you're all fit and well and having fun.
I just downloaded the Dev Preview x64. Currently I have Win 7 on my c/ drive (disk 0). Three partitions on Disk 1, G/ a 41gb partition that is empty plus two larger storage partitions.
I also have a Disk 2 that contains a Linux Mint install.
My thought is to disconnect my Disk 0 main W7 drive, disconnect the Disk 2 linux drive and then boot from the ISO and try and install W8 on that 41Gb spare partition on Disk 1.
Can anyone advise me as to whether that would be easy/the best way etc. I don't want to endanger my storage partitions on Disk 1.
I'm not going to do this now now as I've got to go to work in a while, but I'd appreciate input for when I get home tomorrow.
Here's a pic of System Management to clarify what I mean, cheers, John