Windows 8 pre-beta (8175) hands-on video and pictures

Microsoft is showing off Windows 8 pre-beta build 8175 in CES 2012.

Windows 8 pre-beta (8175) hands-on video and pictures

Microsoft is well on its way to providing a public beta copy of Windows 8, and we got an early hands-on with a pre-beta version of the operating system today. Windows 8 build 8175 is on show at CES 2012, and Microsoft is demonstrating some of the latest features to the crowd of attendees. The most recent build includes a new touch gesture to close Metro apps from view, some keyboard and mouse improvements, and the new video/music Metro app players...

Exclusive: Windows 8 pre-beta hands-on video and pictures | The Verge.

Also:

33 Big And Beautiful New Screenshots Of Windows 8 In Action

Today, we got a glimpse at a much more finished and polished version of Microsoft's next operating system. Microsoft offered a 15-minute tour of the best new stuff, which will be available in late February as another public developer preview.
Here are our favorite parts of the new Windows 8.


Read more: Windows 8 Screenshots At CES 2012 | Business Insider

 

[davehc]

Not much sign there of the (almost) promised standard desktop for non metro fans?

 

[Coke Robot]

The new PC Settings panel looks much more refined, but my question is will the Desktop consolidate the two into one PC Settings panel? Honestly, it seems slightly odd to customize two different interfaces in two different locations.

 

[Lebon14]

Thanks but no thanks Microsoft.

 

[vrosa]

I can say something when I put my hands on it (or the feb beta)

 

[freelancer91]

I don't really care whether they allow a non-Metro interface in the next build. I have kinda gotten used to the new layout. What I want to see is a build that doesn't freeze my laptop every hour or so.

 

[robinbredin]

I do hope they give the end user the option to dump metro if they want.

 

[24c]

I do hope they give the end user the option to dump metro if they want.

Me too. Probably not fair to say before the beta is even released, but if I don't like it, I don't want it. I'm funny that way.

 

[Vertex]

I hate the way they have been emphasizing this Metro just a little too much. They should emphasize the desktop well which they should not forget is their bread and butter.

 

[Mike Lonewolf]

I do hope they give the end user the option to dump metro if they want.

Me too. Probably not fair to say before the beta is even released, but if I don't like it, I don't want it. I'm funny that way.

They already have a way to do that, it is called TweakMetroUI, or is it MetroTweakUI? LoL don't remember which way.

 

[LOVE8]

I don't really care whether they allow a non-Metro interface in the next build. I have kinda gotten used to the new layout. What I want to see is a build that doesn't freeze my laptop every hour or so.

And with better application compatibility.

 

[Julio Cortez]

I do hope they give the end user the option to dump metro if they want.

Well, I've only tried the developer preview for half an hour today and, well, I think I must agree.

Being half-metro (the start menu and the settings menu) and half-aero (pretty everything else I tried) the UI of Windows 8 DP failed to impress me, making me want to go back to Windows 7. Still, I'm looking forward to try more metro apps and see if they "fit".

I mean, I would eventually get used to a "metro" UI if needed (well, hoping I shouldn't continue to switch like it happens with the current DP: metro to aero, back to metro, then to aero and so on) but I would really like to be still able to work in a "100% aero" environment, especially because I love the new aero UI with sharp edges, it looks way cleaner (and a little more minimal) than the Windows 7 one.