*Windows 8 Release Preview* is Microsoft's latest preview version available
to users before the release of the final version of the Windows 8 operating
system. *Overview* First, Microsoft released the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
Now, with the latest release of Windows 8 Release Preview, users have an
opportunity to test a slick and solid operating system that promises to
revolutionize the way you do everything from browse the web to view
multimedia files on a Windows machine. It's important to note that even
though this is the newest release, Microsoft will still be making changes and
tweaks to Windows 8 before the final version is ready to be sold to
consumers. One such change will be getting rid of the "Aero Glass" interface
and replacing it with the flattened and single color design of the Metro
design aesthetic. *Metro Interface* As seen in the Consumer Preview version,
the Windows 8 Release Preview interface is one of the largest changes in the
new Windows 8. This holds true for the Windows 8 Release Preview as well.
Every app you install on the new Metro interface is shown in multiple colored
squares on your screen. Each square acts as a short-cut to open the program
or the corresponding directory. Each panel is also fully customizable. *New
features* *Flash* The use of Flash in Windows 8 Release Preview is one of the
primary updates. Working together, Microsoft and Adobe have created a
situation-specific version of Flash that works with Internet Explorer 10.
This ensures Flash will run when you want it do, such as during video
play-back, but won't affect your PC's performance or battery life by running
when unnecessary. *New apps* There are also quite a few Microsoft Store
expansions when it comes to apps included natively in the Metro interface.
Bing has added apps for travel, sports and news, for example. There are also,
of course, existing Metro apps that were released in conjunction with the
Consumer Preview version. Some of these include Weather and Maps and Finance.
*Surfing the web* Windows 8 Release Preview ties up a lot of loose ends in
terms of stability issues seen in the Consumer Preview version of Windows 8.
There is also a new feature users can look forward to. Called "*Flip ahead*,"
IE uses crowd-sourcing to determine what web page you're the most likely to
click on next during your web browsing. To advance, all you have to do is
swipe the screen if you have touch screen capabilities or click the forward
arrow found onscreen in order to get to the next page. This feature works
while searching Bing, of course, but is also compatible with other search
engines, so long as you're using the Internet Explorer 10. There's also now a
Share feature in Windows 8 Release Preview's Metro IE app that lets you share
web pages with friends via email, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. In
addition, both desktop and Metro versions of this Windows 8 Release Preview
have Flash 11.3 built right into it. *Mail* In Windows 8 Release Preview the
Mail feature has also been tweaked to add a better user experience. You can
pin multiple inboxes to your start screen, for example, to differentiate
between your different email accounts more easily. Microsoft also addressed
some stability issues to ensure less instances of app crashes. *Conclusion*
Microsoft has offered a lot of welcomed changes in its Windows 8 Release
Preview that users of all PC comfort levels will appreciate. Navigation on a
desktop is still a bit tricky without touch screen capabilities, but many
will appreciate the simplicity of the Windows 8 Release Preview's Metro
interface, as well as the completely redesigned apps that come with Windows 8
Release Preview. *Windows 8 Release Preview is a step in the right direction
for Microsoft, as users (and Softonic editors alike!) await the final version
of Windows 8.*Download *Windows 8 Release Preview (64 bit)* in Softonic
