The official Microsoft Windows 8 Release Preview is now available to the public as a free download through Redmond company’s website. Release Preview version seems to be pretty much finished and is offered in 14 different language. This version is the final pre-release before the operating system is sent to manufacturing partners. No word on when this version will expire. Windows 8 Consumer Preview won’t expire until 1 June next year, which was released earlier this year on February 29th. Windows 8 is expected to launch by the end of this year (most probably in October).
Windows 8 Release Preview brings Metro version of Internet Explorer 10 with support for Adobe Flash (which is built into the browser), new Family Safety features, some minor performance, increased personalization options for the Start screen, improved multimonitor support. RP version will also have a bunch new apps such as Bing Travel, News and Sports apps, as well as Gaming and Music Xbox apps that integrate with your Zune pass, new Windows 8 apps for connecting to Hotmail, SkyDrive and Messenger. The Mail, Photos and People apps have also been upgraded. It features improved use of gestures and Wi-Fi passwords will now be associated with a user’s account and recalled across different tablets and PCs.
Microsoft has also decided to roll out a Windows Upgrade Offer in 131 markets for consumers who purchase a Windows 7 PC between June 2, 2012 to January 31, 2013, who will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro when it comes out for just $14.99. Windows 8 is rumored to launch in three different versions: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT. Windows 8 (specially made for the average consumer) and Windows 8 Pro (designed for tech enthusiasts and business and technical professionals) will support PCs and tablets powered by x86 processors. Windows RT will be prefect choice for ARM-powered devices.
Download
You can download full 32-bit or 64-bit ISO files of Windows 8 Consumer Preview from the below links.
# Windows 8 (64 Bit x64) Eng – Sha 1 hash: 0xD76AD96773615E8C504F63564AF749469CFCCD57
# Windows 8 (32 Bit x86) Eng – Sha 1 hash: 0x8BED436F0959E7120A44BF7C29FF0AA962BDEFC9
Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF
Check out other language version here at Microsoft website.
Source: Microsoft (1), (2)