Windows 8 Release Preview Now Ready for Download

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Are you ready for the final pre-release of Windows 8?

Yesterday Microsoft accidentally let the cat out the of the bag that it would be releasing the Windows 8 Release Preview today, May 31. As a result, we weren't to surprised to get a press release from Microsoft announcing the launch of Release Preview. Included in this version of Windows 8 are several new apps, including ones for travel, news, and sports, as well as some more general tweaks throughout the platform.

If you're a Consumer Preview user, be sure to look for changes to Mail, Photo and People as well as more personalization options for the Start screen, improved multi-monitor support (which we talked about here), a fine-tuned approach to downloading apps through the Windows Store, new family safety features, along with enhanced privacy and security controls for online browsing.

"This is our final pre-release, and includes Windows 8, Internet Explorer 10, new Windows 8 apps for connecting to Hotmail, SkyDrive, and Messenger (and many more), and hundreds of new and updated apps in the Windows Store," said Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky, adding that user feedback helps contribute to the development of the product.

"Since our first preview release last September, millions of people now use the pre-release product on a daily basis and millions more have been taking it through its paces, totaling hundreds of millions of hours of testing," Sinofsky said. "We genuinely appreciate the effort that so many have put into pre-release testing, and of course, we appreciate the feedback too. Direct feedback and feedback through usage contributed to hundreds of visible changes in the product and tens of thousands of under-the-hood changes."

Today's Windows 8 Release Preview brings us one step closer to RTM and then an actual physical launch. Microsoft says they should be in the final stages of RTM in about two months' time. 

The Windows 8 Release Preview is available for download in 14 languages. Check out the download links below:

Windows 8 Release Preview 32-Bit

Windows 8 Release Preview 64-Bit

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Jane McEntegart
61 Comments Comment from the forums
  • nocteratus
    The best features won't be useful unless you have a tablet pc.
    Reply
  • felipetga
    Downloading now, though it seems the whole world is doing the same, for it´s coming at around 50kb/s max...
    Reply
  • danwat1234
    An option in control panel to disable Metro?
    Reply
  • whooleo
    It's improved from before but now the UI looks like a supped up transparent version of XP, UGH!!!!!! Whoever at Microsoft thought it was a good idea to copy Apple's policy of simplicity went WAY overboard and is why I'm staying away from this mess. They're almost forcing us to either stick with 7 or move to Mac OS X/Linux....... NOT IMPRESSED
    Reply
  • DarkenMoon97
    Meh, its "ok" (sucks). Still has aero.
    Reply
  • bigshootr8
    wait who is getting this subtract 100 from your IQ. Worthless interface sure improvements here and there but it looks like the typical microsoft stay away from every other os XP (awesome), 2000 (meh)/ME (awful), Vista (terrible), windows 7 (awesome).
    Reply
  • CaedenV
    cant wait to play with it tomorrow when I have time :)
    Reply
  • SinisterSalad
    Pulling down faster on torrent sites. :D
    Reply
  • atikkur
    nothing too excited , but let me try it again..
    Reply
  • redyellowblueblast
    I really am baffled that Microsoft really believes that Windows 8 is going to take off. Its almost as if they are intentionally handing over they're PC desktop/laptop market to Linux. I always expected a Linux take over, but I didn't expect Microsoft to freely hand it over.
    Reply