Let the Windows 8 App Development & Tinkering Begin!

Microsoft released the Windows 8 Developer Preview just yesterday (September 14^th) and it’s already been downloaded 500,000 times.

The software giant posted the pre-beta version of their highly-anticipated Windows 8 operating system on their website just shortly after unveiling it at the BUILD Conference in Anaheim.

Although the main focus is to allow developers to get a head-start on building apps for the new Windows 8 prior to its release as a retail product, curiosity is bound to draw non-developers to download the new OS just to check it out.

Windows 8 Developer Preview comes in 3 different flavors, two of which are 64-bit versions and all varying in size. Before installing, an ISO file will need to be downloaded and burned to either a DVD or bootable USB drive.

The three versions of the pre-beta Windows 8 builds are all in English:

• Windows Developer Preview English with developer tools, 64-bit (x64)
  Includes the Windows 8 Developer Preview, Windows SDK for Metro style apps, Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Express for Windows Developer Preview, Microsoft Expression Blend 5 Developer Preview, and 28 Metro style apps including the BUILD conference app.
  


• Windows Developer Preview English, 64-bit (x64)
  Includes a disk image file (.iso) to install the Windows Developer Preview and Metro style apps (64-bit PC).
  


• Windows Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86)
  Includes a disk image file (.iso) to install the Windows Developer Preview and Metro style apps (32-bit PC).
  

If you decide to download the Windows 8 Developer Preview, keep in mind that it is not a final release and is bound to be a bit buggy. It’s highly recommended to use a spare PC to download and install it, although apparently it’s already been installed on a MacBook Air without any major issues.

Be sure to double-check that your PC meets the system requirements before downloading and installing Windows 8 Developer Preview.

To download Windows 8 Developer Preview, visit the Microsoft website.

Happy Windows 8 Exploring!

Have you already checked Windows 8 out? Share your thoughts so far!

*Screenshot of Windows 8 Developer Preview used with permission from Microsoft.