(Credit: Microsoft)
This may be the Windows 8 beta, but it's far more stable than the name suggests. Much of its key architecture is in place, and we found it to be extremely usable.
(Credit: Microsoft)
The lock screen has been enabled to surface content from your apps, including unread emails and calendar appointments.
(Credit: Microsoft)
Once you've logged in, the Windows 8 beta takes you to the Start screen. Essential apps like Mail, Calendar, Messaging and Weather are front and centre.
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The People app is for organising your contacts across multiple services.
(Credit: Microsoft)
Pinch to zoom out gives you a global view of your app groups, making it shockingly fast to switch between them.
(Credit: Microsoft)
Microsoft SkyDrive will allow you to sync files. Microsoft hasn't revealed yet what the memory limit of the SkyDrive is.
(Credit: Microsoft)
The Windows Store is where you'll get all of your Windows apps. Apps bought through the store will sync across multiple Windows 8 devices, too.
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Internet Explorer 10 in Metro runs on a minimised interface that hides completely when you're not using it.
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Swipe up from the bottom edge of an app, and you'll get app-specific controls. In the case of IE 10, this means that your URL bar is on the bottom and the tabs thumbnails are on the top.
(Credit: Microsoft)
You can search through your apps in Windows 8 by clicking the right-edge Search icon — or just begin typing on a keyboard from the Start screen.
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Windows 8 is optimised for both tablets and PCs. It comes with several soft keyboards, and the main one is impressively responsive.
(Credit: Microsoft)
This quirky, split keyboard works best with thumbs. Think: tablet, held vertically with two hands.
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The desktop tile will take you to the desktop view of Windows 8. It's like Windows 7, but with a cooler secret identity.
(Credit: Microsoft)
Windows 8 offers some interesting dual-monitor support. You can go for a traditional extension, shown here, or you can display the Metro Start screen on one and the desktop view on another.
(Credit: Microsoft)
It's not all flash and bang in Windows 8. The decidedly unsexy Task Manager has been given a new coat of paint, and is easier to use, too.