Windows 8 preview gets one million downloads

SOFTWARE HOUSE Microsoft is happy with the early response to its Windows 8 preview release.

The firm has enthusiastically tweeted that the software beta has been downloaded one million times in the first 24 hours from its release.

One day later...one million downloads of the consumer preview

— Building Windows 8 (@BuildWindows8) March 1, 2012

This reception will be important for Microsoft as it is pinning high hopes on the release, not least of all the belief that it might push users onto its Windows Phone platform, once they have become familiar with the Metro style apps that it is so keen to push.

"The release of Windows 8 will help to drive sales of the Windows Phone platform as the Metro interface becomes common place on the desktop and we drive integration between the platforms," said the firm's senior product manager for Windows Phone, Larry Lieberman at Mobile World Congress.

"The sales of Windows Phone could also be higher, but you have to remember it is a new platform."

Microsoft is expected to release the final version of Windows 8 by the end of the year. µ