Inside the Windows 8 beta: photos

(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.

(Credit: Microsoft)

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.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Internet Explorer 10 in Metro runs on a minimised interface that hides completely when you're not using it.

(Credit: Microsoft)

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.

(Credit: Microsoft)

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.

(Credit: Microsoft)

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)

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.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Task Manager processes are much easier to navigate, too.

Via CNET