I've been a MSDN/Technet junkie for most of my professional life, so maybe I got this wrong and just haven't noticed before...<p>But is this the first time Microsoft actually put up a <i>download page</i> for their OS. A simple page where people can just go, buy and download stuff, without the need for any special MSDN/Technet account?<p>If so, that's both cool and about time.
I just purchased it, and it appears to be downloading now. Note that I had pre-applied for a reduced price offer since I had just purchased a new Windows 7 PC. The URL I used was through here: <a href="https://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US/MyOrder" rel="nofollow">https://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US/MyOrder</a><p>It is currently downloading through a "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" program. This program took all of my information and charged my credit card, and is downloading the files as I write this. ETA 15 minutes total.<p>Screenshot: <a href="http://cl.ly/image/2t3T2M261P2a" rel="nofollow">http://cl.ly/image/2t3T2M261P2a</a>
Looks like the download version is an upgrade not a full retail license.<p>It doesn't make it clear whether the 'shipped' version is a full stand alone thing or not.<p>I have an existing boxed copy of Windows 7 Retail that is installed on a PC. I'd like to install Windows 8 on there but free up the Windows 7 license to put in a VM or on another PC.
Nice. I like the colorful Windows 7 box on the right hand side.<p>But two things are bugging me: The "Download Pro for .." link at the bottom of the page is not working (the "<a href="http://" rel="nofollow">http://</a> is missing the "h"), and the system requirements "Internet Access (fees may apply)" sounds too legalese.
Just remember this:<p>1) Escape doesn't bring up the shutdown menu
2) Windows key doesn't
3) Mouse to the left, top or bottom doesn't
4) Mouse to the start menu doesnt<p>Only to the right will you find the menu. Why a simple button couldn't have been added defies me.
Does this offer a full ISO image to burn? Or is this an in-place upgrade type of a deal?<p><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8" rel="nofollow">http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-wind...</a><p>> Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows 8?<p>> Yes, but you can't do this using Upgrade Assistant. If your PC has a 64-bit capable processor (CPU) but is currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can install a 64-bit version of Windows 8, but you'll need to buy Windows 8 as a DVD.<p>I guess not, otherwise you'd be able to just burn a full version DVD and boot from that.
The text in the download button isn't vertically centered. Not a good start: <a href="http://cl.ly/image/2B3K3J3u2r0C" rel="nofollow">http://cl.ly/image/2B3K3J3u2r0C</a>
So the user friendly statement on why RT can't run old apps is this:<p>"Refers to programs built for mouse and keyboard that run in the classic Windows desktop environment."<p><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/compare" rel="nofollow">http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/compare</a><p>Scroll down to the "* * *"