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"Microsoft just launched the consumer preview of Windows 8. That means anyone who wants to check out the latest version of Microsoft's new operating system \u2014 unveiled on Wednesday at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona \u2014 can download it right now and start scrolling through Metro apps in all of their tiled glory.\nHow can you get this groundbreaking piece of pre-release software? Just head on over to Microsoft's site and download. Microsoft has said repeatedly that Windows 8 would run on any machine that can run Windows 7, so theoretically you should be able to install it on your Win7 PC with no problems (of course, be sure to back up all your stuff thoroughly).\nBe warned, though: this is pre-release \"beta\" software \u2014 not ready for prime time yet. As we found in our detailed look at the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, the OS still has many bugs, and some of the functionality isn't fully baked. Most notably on the \"under construction\" list: OS-level sharing, which right now can only be done with the Mail app.\n\nSEE ALSO: Microsoft on Windows Phone: We\u2019re Exactly Where We Need to Be\nHowever, for those bold enough, using Windows 8 on a touchscreen device or with a traditional mouse and keyboard is a fascinating experience. Many Metro apps, with their full-screen nature, look gorgeous, and Microsoft has built bridges into the OS for connecting with services such as Facebook and Flickr. Of course, the traditional desktop is always just a click or two away.\nWhen will you be able to get the final version of Windows 8? Not till this fall, when Microsoft is expected to release it to the public \u2014 along with an nearly identical version of Windows for low-power ARM devices and a big update to Windows Phone that'll bring it more in line with Windows 8.\nUntil then, you've got this to play with. What do you think of Windows 8? Have your say in the comments, and watch for our Open Thread post later today.\nWindows 8 Consumer Preview: An Overview\n\n\nWindows 8 Consumer Preview: The Good and the Bad\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStart Menu\nHere's what greets you every time you log into your Windows 8 machine. Yes, the tiles are customizable, though it's a little unwieldy in practice.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSharing in Metro\nSharing is arguably Metro's most powerful feature. Although the sharing option is only populated with Mail right now, once Windows 8 apps get going, you'll see options here like Facebook, Twitter and all the rest -- in every app.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFinance Metro App\nMany apps, like the native Finance app, look beautiful in Metro.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTraditional Desktop\nYou can still get back to the familiar desktop anytime you want in Windows 8. Note the absence of a Start button, which you get to by mousing into the lower-left corner.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBing Maps\nBing Maps, like all Metro apps, makes use of the entire screen. Right-clicking brings up options.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMultitasking Menu\nYou can see which apps are running by pointing your mouse to one of the left corners and then moving it alongside. Right-clicking an app lets you stop it.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAction Menu\nThe side action menu slides out via the side and is the same no matter what app you're in.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBuggy Email\nThe consumer preview of Windows 8 still has lots of bugs in it, as evidenced by this screen shot of the email app.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInternet Explorer Tabs\nSince the entire screen in Internet Explorer is dedicated to showing you the web page, right-clicking twice shows you the tabs that are open.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMessaging\nMessaging ties with your People app, bringing in contacts on Windows Messenger or Facebook.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFlickr Integration\nThe Windows 8 Photo app has built-in integration with Flickr, but it wasn't working on our device.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSkyDrive\nYour 25GB of free SkyDrive space is easily accessible via a live tile, and it integrates with the Photos app, letting you avoid sending large email attachments by uploading pics to SkyDrive.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWeather App\nThe Weather app also looks beautiful in Metro.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPC Settings\nThrough settings, you can make changes to your Windows profile, which will show up -- apps and all -- on any Windows 8 machine you log into.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFlash Player Download\nYep, you still need to download Flash to get your browsers to play many videos, like those on YouTube.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAdding Apps to Start Menu\nYou can customize your Start menu with specific apps, even if they're desktop-only apps like the browsers seen here.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVideo Hub\nThe video hub doesn't just show video files -- it also promotes content as well. Whether that's a plus or a minus is up to you.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSolitaire\nSolitaire was available on our Consumer Preview device via Xbox Live, though Microsoft said it couldn't guarantee it would be in the general release.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWindows 8 With a Mouse and Keyboard\nMicrosoft designed Windows 8 to be comfortable to use either by touch or with a mouse and keyboard. We found some functions counterintuitive, but it's still a powerful interface.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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