Windows 8 download? Could this be? Yes Windows 8 is now available to download for free. However before you get over excited I must point out this is a developer preview version of Windows 8. This means it is a pre Beta release. It may not be stable or operate as the final product would. This is for testing purposes only and not to be used in a production environment.
If you want to get a taste of what Windows 8 has to offer you can visit Microsoft now and download your copy here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516
System Requirements
Windows 8 works just as well on a machine designed to run Windows Vista and Windows 7. Below are the recommended minimum system requirements to run Windows 8.
- 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
- Taking advantage of touch input requires a screen that supports multi-touch
- To run Metro style Apps, you need a screen resolution of 1024 X 768 or greater
Installation Instructions For Your Windows 8 Download
The Windows 8 Download Developer Preview is available in an .iso image. If you are not familiar with this don’t worry. I will explain. The .iso image must be converted into installation media stored on a DVD or USB Flash drive.
To convert the Windows 8 Download .iso image you can use Windows Disc Image Burner if you have Windows 7. If you are currently running Windows Vista or Windows XP you will need to use a third party software program. I would suggest Power ISO for this task.
Simply open your program of choice. Open the Windows 8 .iso file. Click burn. Simple.
Note: The .iso file containing your Windows 8 download requires a large capacity DVD called a DVD-9. You will also require a DVD burner that can handle dual-layer (DL) DVDs. Most modern burners should be able to handle this format. If you need to purchase a Dual Layer DVD you can get them on Amazon.
Uninstall Your Windows 8 Download
You cannot uninstall Windows 8 Developer Preview. The only way you can restore your previous version of Windows is to use your restoration or installation media.
If you require a step by step instructional diary on how to remove your Windows 8 Download then get in touch with me. If enough people ask for this then I will do a Blog post about it.
Why Use It?
The Windows 8 Development Preview has got the title nailed. Microsoft want you to download this version of Windows and test it. If any bugs are present, which there will be, Microsoft will get a fix out. This is done so that when Windows 8 officially launches most if not all bugs have been fixed.
The New Windows 8 Logo
The new logo was designed by Paula Scher at Pentagram. Microsoft seem to be jumping on the band wagon with the new minimalist logo designs that seem to be creeping up all over the industry. Some of these new designs are really striking, simply by removing elements of the current logo.
What do you think of the new Windows 8 Logo Design? Personally I like it but something still seems missing. I think Microsoft would have been better naming this latest version Windows just simply Windows. Since it is such a radical change in the OS. A new direction for Microsoft perhaps? Drop the 8, drop the 9, drop the 10. Just Windows.
Give me your thoughts and opinions below.
