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Downloads for developers

Download the tools and SDK

Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Express Beta for Windows 8 is your tool to build Metro style apps. It includes the Windows 8 SDK, Blend for Visual Studio, and project templates.

Get details and additional languages.

Download now(392 MB, English)

Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview

You can download the Windows 8 Consumer Preview using Windows Setup which includes an optimized download and built-in tools for creating an ISO or bootable flash drive. Alternatively, you can directly download an ISO image.

Get it now

Related tools, SDKs, and downloads

 

Design assets

Download design assets (48 MB)

These .psd assets include templates, common controls, and common components such as contracts, notifications, and tiles. Learn more about designing Metro style apps.

Sample app pack

Download sample app pack (300 MB) 

This package contains over 200 samples from Microsoft to help jumpstart your project quickly. You can also browse individual samples, copy code inline, and leave comments in the samples gallery.

Live SDK

Download the Live SDK

The Live SDK provides a set of controls and APIs that enable applications to integrate Single Sign On (SSO) with your Microsoft account and access information from SkyDrive, Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger. Learn more.

Remote Tools for Visual Studio 11 Beta

Get the Remote Tools

These standalone tools allow you to easily install, test, and profile the performance of a Metro style app on a PC running Windows 8 Consumer Preview without Visual Studio 11 Beta installed.

Multilingual App Toolkit for Visual Studio 11 Beta

Download Mulilingual App Toolkit (3.0 MB, English)

This extension for Visual Studio 11 Beta helps you localize your Metro style app with translation support, translation file management, and editor tools. Learn more about the Multilingual App Toolkit.

Microsoft Advertising SDK for Windows 8

Get the Microsoft Advertising SDK

With the Windows Store, you can choose whichever ad platform you prefer, whether it’s from Microsoft or someone else.

 

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