Windows 8 Consumer Preview: features, apps, install guide, and more

Nvidia's new graphics drivers are certified for Windows 8

Nvidia's R302 graphics drivers are optimized and certified by Microsoft for Windows 8

Microsoft to let Windows 8 web browsers play nice with Metro, Firefox version in the works

Windows 8 will support three app categories: traditional Windows apps, Metro apps, and new "Metro style enabled desktop browsers," which are classic Windows programs that are allowed to participate in the Metro experience. The category, so far, is just for web browsers, and it will allow one application to serve as the default browser for both the Metro and classic Windows environments. Firefox is working on a version of its browser in the new category right now.

Bing Maps gets a new SDK for Metro style apps in Windows 8

Microsoft has released a new SDK for Bing Maps designed to help developers integrate the mapping service into their Metro style apps for Windows 8.

Microsoft improves Windows 8 themes with panorama wallpapers, new features

Microsoft has added new and improved theme functionality to Windows 8, adding support for panorama wallpapers and other new features.

How to: bring back the Windows 8 Start menu and Start button orb

A quick guide to re-enable the Windows 8 Start menu and Start button orb.

Kobo e-reader app available for Windows 8 with new UI, library search

Kobo's e-reader app is available in the Windows Store for Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview downloaded a million times on day one

Microsoft has just tweeted out the news that its Consumer Preview build of Windows 8 has been downloaded one million times within the first day of availability.

Microsoft bets on Windows 8 to succeed where Android has failed

Microsoft is aggressively pushing Windows developers to its new Metro UI, thus ensuring it'll have lots of tablet-friendly apps available.

Windows 8: touch vs. keyboard and mouse navigation (hands-on video)

A hands-on look at the different ways to control Windows 8 with mouse, keyboard, and touch screens.

Windows 8 vs. iPad: feature by feature

Joshua Topolsky compares Microsoft's Windows 8 Consumer Preview with Apple's iOS 5 on the iPad.

Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview event videos now available online

Microsoft has posted video of its Windows 8 Consumer Preview event at MWC in Barcelona.

How to install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Here's a step-by-step guide to installing the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on your computer.

Windows Store hands-on and video

We take an in-depth look at the new Windows Store, available now with the download of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Windows 8: a closer look at Xbox Live, Music and Videos (pictures and video)

We've taken a look at the new Xbox Live, music, and video features in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Windows 8 on an 82-inch display hands-on video

One of Microsoft's surprises during the Consumer Preview demo event was the fact that the massive 82-inch display at the back of the stage was actually a touchscreen. Not only that, it was plugged into a PC running Windows 8.

Windows Store launches for Windows 8

Microsoft has just launched the Windows Store for Windows 8, in the hopes of making the user experience of finding new software even easier.

Microsoft to reveal more Windows 8 Enterprise details at CeBIT conference next week

It seems as though there's yet more to Windows 8 Enterprise that the company has yet to reveal, but more will be revealed next week at the CeBIT conference in Hanover. The conference begins on March 6th and The Verge will be there to bring you all the details from the next Windows 8 event.

Microsoft demos Windows 8 on an 82-inch, pen-friendly Perceptive Pixel PC

Microsoft made a lot of announcements today, but one of the things it didn't talk much about was the giant, 82-inch, pen-friendly PC that the company used to demo some Windows 8 features.

Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5

Microsoft has just taken the wraps off Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5 as part of its announcement of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Windows 8: system requirements for the Consumer Preview

Microsoft's outlined the system requirements for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, along with some guidelines if you want to use the operating system's full potential.

Microsoft shows off ARM-based Windows 8 tablets

During its Windows 8 Consumer Preview event at Mobile World Congress, Microsoft showed the hardware running on a host of reference machines based on both Intel x86 and ARM processors.

Windows 8: a closer look at how the new Start button works

Hands-on look at the new Windows 8 start button and task switcher.

Microsoft shows off third-party Metro apps: Kindle, WordPress.com, and more

We're starting to see the first demos of working Metro apps for Windows 8. Amazon has created a Metro version of its Kindle app — no surprise, really, given that the company has been supporting as many platforms as possible, PC included

Windows 8 Consumer Preview hands-on

Windows 8 Consumer Preview now available to download

Windows 8 Consumer Preview build now available to download, offering access to the Windows Store and Metro style applications.