Windows 8 Consumer Preview (Beta) was released several hours ago by Microsoft and already it has caused a major buzz. For those who are still downloading the CP or haven’t decided if it is worth the trouble, check out this video walk-through showcasing the installation, setup, and first-time login experience.
The highly anticipated Consumer Preview (beta) build of Windows 8 has finally been released by Microsoft. During the Mobile World Congress in Spain, Microsoft announced the Consumer Preview and released it to the masses.
For those who are still downloading the Consumer Preview or haven’t decided on taking the plunge from Developer Preview to Consumer Preview, this video walk-through is for you.
The video showcases Windows 8 Consumer Preview being installed in the latest version of Oracle VM VirtualBox (download the latest one here). The installation process is very easy and consists of launching VirtualBox and simply selecting Windows 8 as your operating system type. Once VirtualBox is set up, we mound the Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO and begin installation.
The installation and setup process is pretty straight forward and very easy to understand. Once setup is complete, the user will be logged into the operating system. Once logged in, you can immediately notice the lack of a Start button or Start orb. Using a mouse and keyboard setup can be a bit difficult especially on areas that rely on hover effects. In the video, you can see a difficult time trying to access the new Start thumbnail (on the lower right side of the screen). It just doesn’t seem to work right. Obviously, the operating system is in Beta, so we cant complain too much.
Here’s what we noticed right away. The Charms bar loads up nicely and works well. We see the new Windows 8 logo on the Charms bar too. The Microsoft Account feature is tied in nicely across the operating system to offer a centralized account to sign into apps and access settings. Pressing the START button on your keyboard takes you to the Metro Start Screen. Pressing the START button again on your keyboard takes you back to the desktop app. Continue pressing the button and it cycles between the Start Screen and desktop app.
Take a look at the visual walkthrough of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview installation, setup, and first-time login experience. Post your experiences in the comments below.