Microsoft releases first Windows 8 public test version

SEATTLE, Washington - Microsoft Corp released the first broadly available test version of the Windows 8 operating system, giving consumers an early peek at software designed to rival the touch-enabled features on Apple Inc's iPad.

The Redmond

The Redmond, Washington-based company demonstrated the software, which lets users store applications on an Internet-based cloud in order to easily switch between computers and Windows Phones, in a two-hour session at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday.

Revenue from Windows software, which runs most of the world's personal computers, has missed analysts' estimates in four of the past five quarters, in some cases because some consumers are defecting from laptops with Windows to tablets.

The program allows users to "pin" people to the Windows start screen to communicate and maintain important contacts. Larson-Green as well demonstrated how the software allows live video to run within an instant-messaging app.

"Windows 8 is actually fast, fluid and responsive," Windows President Steven Sinofsky said on Wednesday. "It's in fact an operating system for a new generation."

The company has declined to say when Windows 8 will be officially released, even though analysts expect it later this year. Hewlett-Packard Co has said it plans to introduce a tablet based on the new software some time earlier the end of 2012.

The option of signing in to a Windows account

Users have the option of signing in to a Windows account, which lets them connect to their information stored on an Internet-based cloud on multiple personal computers and Windows Phones.

The release of the test version as well marks the opening of the Windows app store. Applications will be free while the consumer preview period.

The operating system marks the first time Microsoft will release a version of Windows for PCs that as well runs on chips with innovation by the semiconductor and software company ARM Holdings PLC. Those are the kind of processors that dominate the tablet market, giving those machines better speed and battery life.

The test version available for download is the x86 version of Windows, which will run rival chips from Intel Corp and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. The ARM-based systems will get a narrower test audience, Sinofsky said in an interview previously this month.

The ARM version of Windows will only be sold pre-installed on a computer or tablet and won't run applications written for older versions of Windows, during the x86 product will run existing applications and can be sold separately, Sinofsky said.

Before preview of the program

Microsoft released an before preview of the program, designed for software developers writing apps for Windows, in September. Since at the time, the team has made more than 100,000 changes to the product, Sinofsky said on Wednesday.