14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is offering no less than three downloads of Windows Developer Preview, the first public development milestone of Windows 8. Early adopters can grab either Windows Developer Preview with developer tools English, 64-bit (x64), Windows Developer Preview English, 64-bit (x64) or Windows Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86).
The first release mentioned above is obviously geared toward developers, and it’s also supposed to be similar to what the Redmond company offered BUILD attendees with the Samsung Windows Developer Preview PC.
Windows Developer Preview with developer tools comes with 64-bit Windows 8 Build 8102 M3, but also with Windows SDK for Metro style apps, Visual Studio 11 Express for Windows Developer Preview, Expression Blend 5 Developer Preview and 28 Metro style apps.
The ISO image weighs in at 4.8 GB and features the following Sha 1 hash - 6FE9352FB59F6D0789AF35D1001BD4E4E81E42AF.
Windows Developer Preview English, 64-bit (x64) is a tad smaller, namely just 3.6 GB. What this ISO image brings to the table is just an x64 copy of Windows 8 Build 8102 M3 along with Metro apps. It’s Sha 1 hash is 79DBF235FD49F5C1C8F8C04E24BDE6E1D04DA1E9.
Windows Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86) is the smallest download out of the three, just 2.8 GB. This particular x86 Windows 8 Build 8102 M3 release also sports Metro apps. Here’s the Sha 1 hash for the download 4E0698BBABE01ED27582C9FC16AD21C4422913CC.
“The Windows Developer Preview is a pre-beta version of Windows 8 for developers. These downloads include prerelease software that may change without notice,” Microsoft notes.
“The software is provided as is, and you bear the risk of using it. It may not be stable, operate correctly or work the way the final version of the software will. It should not be used in a production environment.
“The features and functionality in the prerelease software may not appear in the final version. Some product features and functionality may require advanced or additional hardware, or installation of other software.”
Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) is available for download here. (Windows Developer Preview with developer tools English, 64-bit (x64), Windows Developer Preview English, 64-bit (x64) or Windows Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86))