Microsoft has released the first public beta of its next operating system, Windows 8, Wednesday.

“With Windows 8, we reimagined the different ways people interact with their PC and how to make everything feel like a natural extension of the device, whether using a Windows 8 tablet, laptop or all-in-one,” said Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft. “The Windows 8 Consumer Preview brings a no-compromises approach to using your PC.”

Beyond the new interface, the new operating system offers several new features:

• The Windows Store, the first online store for Windows applications.
• Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5, the latest iteration of Microsoft’s web browser, which provides an edge-to-edge user interface “all about less browser and more Web,” the company said.
• Cloud computing, thanks to a new user log on feature that lets you bring your settings with you onto a variety of PCs, and integration with the Windows SkyDrive online storage locker.

We managed to look at the previous release that was not for public consumption and found that it really seems geared towards mobile devices while we are more interested in how the desktop version will play out.

There are two choices to download:

If you are on a PC running Windows and want to install the consumer preview on another partition, another PC, or a virtual machine, we recommend you download Windows 8 Consumer Preview Setup and use the built-in tools for converting an ISO image into installation media, such as a DVD or USB bootable flash drive. You can find additional information, including a list of supported upgrades, in the FAQ.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview Setup will check to see if your PC can run Windows 8 Consumer Preview and select the right download. Setup also features a compatibility report and upgrade assistance. Built-in tools for creating an ISO or bootable flash drive are available for some previous versions of Windows (excluding Windows XP and earlier).