Operating systems of the Windows family are installed on millions of computers around the world. It is not surprising that the release of each new version of the OS from Microsoft is expected by users with great interest; its appearance is becoming a real event in the computer world.
According to statistics, the most widespread operating system in the world today is Windows XP. It is followed with a significant lag behind Windows 7, which did not gain popularity in the previous version. Given the many security issues inherent in these operating systems, many users are eagerly awaiting the release of Windows 8.
Microsoft has announced a schedule for the availability of the new operating system for different categories of users. Windows 8 will be available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers starting August 15, 2012, and will be available to Software Assurance and Microsoft Partner Network members starting August 16. On August 20, Microsoft Action Pack vendors will be able to install the new OS. Starting September 1, the new product will be available to Volume License customers participating in Software Assurance. Finally, on October 26, Windows 8 will hit store shelves and will be available to everyone.
Despite the fact that there are still several months before the appearance of Windows 8 in stores, Internet users can now test the new OS in order to assess its advantages and disadvantages firsthand. You can completely free download a test version of the operating system from the Microsoft website. Versions are available in different languages, including Russian. The OS is presented in the form of an ISO image, it must be downloaded and burned to a CD using any program capable of working with images - for example, Nero. After that, you will receive a regular installation disk from which you can install the new OS on your computer.
One of the main features of Windows 8 is the all-new Metro experience for tablet users. On the screen, there are large, heterogeneous icons of installed programs that tablet users will surely like. It is possible to switch to the traditional interface - however, the familiar Start button has disappeared from it. The new OS boots and shuts down much faster, which is a definite plus. All programs written for previous versions of the operating system will work on it. But if you are used to working with Windows 7 and you have a regular computer with a simple non-touch screen, you probably shouldn't rush to upgrade to a new OS. It will take a long time to get used to unusual keyboard combinations and numerous minor interface changes, while there are no obvious advantages from switching to a new operating system. In addition, the first releases of the new OS traditionally have numerous errors, most of which will be eliminated only for the next release.
