Microsoft has officially announced the availability for download the second official test version of its new operating system - Windows 8 Consumer Preview. The system does not require activation, you can put it as many times as you need for the equipment that you wish to check. Over time, Microsoft will issue an update for the OS and drivers.

The main characteristics and features of Windows 8:
Based on anecdotal evidence, Windows 8 will focus on the system of voice recognition and voice control. Among other possible innovations assumed the presence of advanced virtualization to virtualize entire operating system, integration with the mobile version of the operating system, support for gesture recognition.
It is assumed that Windows 8 will have an improved system hibernation and recovery, as well as new security features, including modification of PatchGuard.

According to the "leaked" presentation of Microsoft, in Windows 8 will significantly reduce the download time on and off compared to the previous operating system of Windows. Close attention will be paid to energy consumption and energy efficiency. Claimed to support an interface USB 3.0, connection Bluetooth 3.0, as well as wireless and stereoscopic displays.
One innovation will be the face recognition system users via webcam. This system will be able to translate their own PC in the different modes of energy consumption depending on whether the user is in front of a webcam or not. In one form of such a concept is implemented in the game controller Kinect for Xbox 360.

The presentation was a lot of attention paid to its competitors - Apple and Google, as well as their products and services, Google Chrome OS, Android, WebOS. For example, Microsoft is going to start the Windows Store, repeating many of the functions of Mac App Store for OS X. This service will be integrated into Windows 8.

In Windows 8 will present new tools for security, which will simplify diagnostics and troubleshooting. Referred to the function "system reset", which will reinstall Windows 8, while keeping all user files. Also, Windows 8 will support the accelerometers, disk encryption, support for GPS on a netbook and notebook, using WWAN-ins.

In Windows 8 will be widely applied concept Ribbon Interface, which will take a modular tape, not only in individual programs of the system (such as WordPad, Paint, etc.), but in Explorer Windows.
Also in Windows 8 will be enhanced Start menu.


Microsoft in the last minute made some changes to Windows 8 Consumer Preview:
new boot screen;
a new context menu;
a new way to close the application;
A new start button (v. 2.0);
new theme Aero Lite;
A new tape of the organization;
New keyboard shortcuts;
more than 100 applications available for Windows Store
and more ...

System requirements:
Processor: 1 GHz, 32-bit or 64-bit
Memory: 1 GB
Hard drive: 16 GB of free disk space
Video: Support for DirectX 9 graphics
Drive: the device to read and write DVD-ROM drive