With more than three million downloads received last year from the developer’s preview, the software giant, Microsoft on Monday announced the availability of the Windows 8 consumer preview, the next milestone of the Windows operating system.

The Windows 8 consumer preview, according to the software giant offers a more robust experience for testing the world’s most popular operating system

The software, Microsoft said is available to the widest range of consumers following the initial release of the Windows 8 Developer Preview late last year.

“With Windows 8, we re-imagined the different ways people interact with their PC and how to make everything feel like a natural extension of the device, whether using a Windows 8 tablet, laptop or all-in-one,” President of the Windows and Windows Live Division of Microsoft, Steven Sinofsky said, adding that the windows 8 consumer preview brings a no-compromises approach to using your PC.

At the Windows 8 consumer preview event held in Barcelona recently that was attended by partners from Europe and around the world, the company shared some key new updates in the Windows 8 Consumer preview including:

Product changes and improvements:

Since the developer preview in September, designed to preview the programming platform, Windows 8 has progressed across every dimension.  From completing the user experience for touch, keyboard and mouse to refining the development platform, the Consumer Preview improves performance, quality and reliability across all subsystems.  With the added features, it represents a more complete view of the capabilities of Windows 8.

Windows Store with new apps:

The Windows 8 Consumer Preview marks the beta opening of the Windows Store, which is filled with a variety of new Metro style apps from both third-party developers and Microsoft.  During the Consumer Preview, these apps are available to try and experience at no cost to users.  The Windows Store will offer personalized recommendations, and Windows 8 gives users the ability to take their apps and settings with them across multiple PCs, making it easy to discover and try new apps while offering developers the greatest opportunity of any platform.

Windows-based PCs and Windows Phone:

.  The Windows 8 Consumer Preview offers seamless integration with the content people care about across their devices.  An optional additional sign-on with a Microsoft account provides access to a host of features, including the ability to roam all settings, use cloud storage, communicate with email, calendar and contacts, and connect to a broad range of services.  Your connection to the cloud works across your Windows-based PCs and your Windows Phones.

Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5:

The best way to experience the Web on Windows is with Internet Explorer 10.  The browser has been re-imagined to create a new experience designed specifically for Windows 8 devices.  It provides an edge-to-edge user interface that is all about less browser and more Web. Fast and fluid, Internet Explorer is hardware-accelerated to enable Web performance.

Preview of new hardware capabilities:

At the event, Microsoft also showcased Windows 8 running on a wide range of new x86- and ARM-based reference hardware.  This hardware will be available to select developers for trial and testing as previously announced.