Windows 8 Release Preview is Ready

[News Portal]

Microsoft have pushed out their next update to the customer-facing preview of Windows 8, a version named the 'Release Preview' (different from the previous 'Consumer Preview'. Said to incorporate tens of thousands of bug fixes, this will be the final version until the 'Release to Manufacturing' build is deployed - which should be soon. Download it here and try it for yourself! If you need help, here's a guide we wrote on how to install it without losing everything.

Source: Microsoft

Read full article by GON News

[IanHead]

Typing this post using it now. It's noticeably faster and much more polished than the Consumer Preview was back in Feb. I had some (strong) reservations about the new interface but after using it for a while I think I actually prefer it to the desktop, which is not something I ever thought I'd say. Looking forward to the final release.

[PalZer0]

Had a go at running it through a VM and IMO the release preview is worse than the consumer preview.

One of the changes I noticed is that you have to log out before shutting down (unless there's a shutdown function in Windows that I couldn't find). Massive thumbs down on that one.

Still no Start button on the desktop which makes me really annoyed and Metro is still a PITA to use.

[realOne]

Don't really need to try this version since i've tried the previous Consumer Preview, Developer Preview & Milestone 3 builds.

Already know ill be purchasing Windows 8 Pro on release date

[TheD]

If I wanted a touchscreen OS I would of bought a tablet, not a PC!

[BBlunt]

Still no Start button on the desktop which makes me really annoyed and Metro is still a PITA to use.

And there won't be, since the Consumer Preview MS have been pulling all the old code relating to the Start button from the code base so that no one else can hack it back in.

[Matty]

Might put this on the laptop in the holidays.

[Black Patriot]

Had a go at running it through a VM and IMO the release preview is worse than the consumer preview.

One of the changes I noticed is that you have to log out before shutting down (unless there's a shutdown function in Windows that I couldn't find). Massive thumbs down on that one.

Still no Start button on the desktop which makes me really annoyed and Metro is still a PITA to use.

Never had to log out to shut down on the dev, consumer or release previews, maybe you just don't know the proper method. To be fair Microsoft didn't communicate it that well, though they have confirmed that there will be some sort of tutorial for the full release.

To shut down, open the charms menu (right corners or Win+C), select settings, then power. Easy, if not that obvious. It makes more sense from a tablet perspective, where you don't want to accidentally shut down your tablet. You might also be able to get to it by right clicking on the bottom left corner, can't remember, I used the metro interface more than right clicking where start used to be.

[PalZer0]

Never had to log out to shut down on the dev, consumer or release previews, maybe you just don't know the proper method. To be fair Microsoft didn't communicate it that well, though they have confirmed that there will be some sort of tutorial for the full release.

To shut down, open the charms menu (right corners or Win+C), select settings, then power. Easy, if not that obvious. It makes more sense from a tablet perspective, where you don't want to accidentally shut down your tablet. You might also be able to get to it by right clicking on the bottom left corner, can't remember, I used the metro interface more than right clicking where start used to be.

I was trying to open the charms menu in my VM but it just wouldn't open at all. No idea why that would be the case.

[camstatic]

I don't like where Microsoft is heading with this...

[exe3]

The only thing I can add to this convo is that I just saw the new Windows 8 logo, completely ignoring the imo excellent style of the old logos this new logo is just atrociously designed. It's just honestly awkward to look at and i'm sick of all these 'modernized' oversimplified logo's that are just lifeless.

[M a x]

Would have been nice if they allowed an upgrade path from Consumer Preview....I'll just wait for retail release now.

[yogi]

After having fought my way through the basics of the Consumer Preview (though still not IE fully), the update is improved in many ways.

I've had no issues with the closing. In regards to the VM issue, I thought I read sometime ago, that for whatever reason it was, MS recommended that it not be run virtually.

I have not significantly used W8 and the absence of the start button has puzzled me a couple of times, but I am sure I would get used to it on a day to day use and probably in time, could be an improvement.

[PalZer0]

Don't know why MS wouldn't want it run virtually as that's the safest way to try a new OS without screwing up what you have already.

[Minkelz]

Wow are they really going to push this tablet monstrosity onto the PC market? The scary thing is if they continue doing this in windows 9 etc.. might be a long time 'till I upgrade from 7.