Windows8

Microsoft also told developers how easy it would be to create applications for Windows 8 and to put them in a "Windows Store" .

Microsoft's statement did not address allegations over Windows 8. It declined to comment on the broader investigation.

"Thatwill come in the next version, " he said, indicating Windows 8.

With Windows 8, the days of booting into a desktop full of app icons, file folders and that darned Recycle Bin are over.

Windows 8 is still in development, so it's unclear how well the system will run on tablets.

Given there's going to be a Windows 8 App Store, users will need to search the new marketplace for apps.

On Tuesday, Microsoft showed off the first tablets running Windows 8, and provided a bunch of new details about the operating system.

Microsoft is counting on the next version of Windows, dubbed Windows 8, to restart sales growth.

Take a look at Microsoft's first five-minute demo video of Windows 8 and then read my analysis below.

Windows 8 includes Hyper-V as a virtualization platform, but since not everybody will use this feature, it's not enabled by default.

But some of its features are being described by tech sites on the Web.

Microsoft calls this interface "Metro, " and its tile-shaped aesthetic runs throughout Windows 8.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Bing more tightly coupled with Windows 8.

Companies with less unique relationships with Microsoft aren't as enthusiastic.

Yes. As an alternative to using Setup, Windows 8 Consumer Preview is also available to download as an ISO image.

We may finally get a look at Microsoft's first Windows 8 tablet.

Microsoft is expected to rectify that shortcoming with Windows 8, introducing an app store along with the product.

Windows 8 is designed to run on desktops and tablet PCs, unlike Apple's mobile operating system iOS and Windows Phone 7.

By the time Windows 8 tablets appear, a third version may well have won Apple even more customers.

You can get apps in the Windows Store and use them on any PC running Windows 8 Consumer Preview that you sign in to.

This week has seen plenty of Windows 8 related news, including the availability of Windows 8 Developer Preview edition.

Early milestone builds of Windows 8 have leaked onto the Internet, and considerable effort has been put into figuring out how they work.

Windows 7 undid the damage, but I'm nervous that Windows 8 could backslide into bloat.

"We want to give Windows 8 its own companion hardware innovations, " Ballmer said.

You should carefully balance the risks and rewards of trying out the Windows 8 Consumer Preview before you install it.

This is the minimum screen size that Windows 8 will support so no application needs to work at a smaller resolution.

Can I upgrade from previous versions of Windows to Windows 8 Consumer Preview?

Another major theme of Windows 8 is application integration.

Will my devices and programs work with Windows 8 Consumer Preview?

Is Windows 8 Consumer Preview ready for everyone to try?

Are there risks to installing Windows 8 Consumer Preview?

Windows 8 is a whole new animal that's really a vegetable.

What happens when I download Windows 8 Consumer Preview Setup?

The motto for Windows 8 is "Content before Chrome" .

What is a Microsoft account and do I need one to use Windows 8 Consumer Preview?

Before we look at what Microsoft will be doing with Windows 8, a little context is necessary.

In Windows 8, IE 10 is available as a Metro style app and as a desktop app.

In other words, Windows 8 and Windows Phone 7 could push Microsoft 30% higher.

"If they can put it on Windows 8, it gives them an advantage. It helps them in the tablet market. "

You have a few options for installing Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Happy developers are essential, because the more apps they create, the more users will want to use Windows 8.

For detailed product and feature information, download the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Product Guide(available in English only).

Rumor of the day: Microsoft is thinking about a branded tablet running Windows 8 that would launch by the end of 2012. (DigiTimes)

You should consider downloading the Windows 8 Consumer Preview only if all of the following apply to you:

When you download Windows 8 Consumer Preview Setup, the following happens:

Windows 8 Consumer Preview works great on the same hardware that powers Windows 7:

Visit the IT pro forums for Windows 8 business features

First take on Windows 8: Two things wrong and one thing right