Windows 2012 R2 Preview is here

Microsoft has posted the Windows Server 2012 R2 preview online ahead of its annual BUILD conference.

Windows Server 2012 R2 comes in several different editions, namely Essentials, Developers, Windows Azure and IT Professionals. The preview versions will be active till January 15, 2014, after which users will need to buy a retail license.

Windows Server 2012 R2 preview features the Start button as well as context menu settings for shutting down and restarting the operating system. 

You can try out the latest Windows Server 2012 R2 edition by hitting the download link below.

• Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview for IT Professionals
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview on Windows Azure
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview for Developers
• Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials Preview

System Center and Windows Intune Evaluations

• System Center 2012 R2 Preview Datacenter/Private Cloud
• System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager & Endpoint Protection Preview
• Windows Intune 30 Day Free Trial

SQL Server Evaluations

• SQL Server 2014 Community Technology Preview 1
• SQL Server 2014 Community Technology Preview 1 on Windows Azure

Windows Azure Evaluation

• Windows Azure Free Trial

Windows Azure Pack

• Windows Azure Pack

Microsoft Windows 8.1 Preview is here

If you’re ready to bring back the Start button, you can head over to Microsoft’s website to download the Windows 8.1 Preview right now. The Preview release is open to all users, though any machine that isn’t running Windows 7 or later will have to perform a fresh install to get it working. For those already on Windows 8, Microsoft is offering the 8.1 Preview directly through the Windows Store. To access it, users have to first visit Microsoft’s website to initiate a small update to Windows itself. Afterward, their device will restart and direct them to a download of the 8.1 Preview update.