December 2011At the Windows Store preview, Windows Web Services VP Antonie Lebolond announced that the public beta of Windows 8 will be released in late February 2012! Also along with the beta release will be the release of the Windows Store with just free apps included.
Feburary 2012It has been cofirmed that the offical release date for the Consumer Preview is Feburary 29th.
The Consumer Preview will be released 3PM CET (9AM ET & 2PM GMT) on the 29. of february of 2012.
Canouna (site admin of Winunleaked.tk) reports that Windows 8 Consumer preview is ready to launch!
He says:
A quick post before tommorow’s event.
On Sunday, the final Windows 8 Consumer Preview build was uploaded to Microsoft Servers under the buildstring 8250.0.WINMAIN_WIN8BETA.120217-1520. All Feature Build Lab’s work has been merged in only one assembly. Some interesting new features:
The new icon showed by UEX team some time ago is now a part of the charm bar, with customizable color.
The show desktop button is not visible anymore, but the feature is still present.
New setup icon and installprep splash screen image.
Microsoft continues their work, the lastest Pre-RC build is 8288.0.winmain.120223-1751. For more information, go discuss WCP & RC builds on the forums, check the Windows 8 Build List http://winunleaked.tk/windows-8-builds-list/, and have fun with Windows 8 Consumer Preview
