Just yesterday Windows 8 Preview was released by Microsoft and is considered to be the last official release before the Release to Manufacturing RTM edition of Windows 8. So, you can call it Windows 8 Release candidate RC version too. Before this release, two more versions of Windows 8 were released by Microsoft namely Windows 8 Developer Preview and Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Due to all these pre releases, it is being tested by Millions of users worldwide.

In this post, we will talk about the upgrade scenario of Windows 8 Preview edition for users in need of a upgrade from previous Windows versions like Windows 8 Developer preview, Consumer Preview, Windows 7, Windows Vista or XP.

Current operating system

What you can keep

Windows 8 Consumer Preview Nothing (your files will be saved in the Windows.old folder)
Windows Developer Preview Nothing (your files will be saved in the Windows.old folder)
Windows 7 Programs
Windows settings
User accounts and files
Windows Vista Windows settings
User accounts and files
Windows XP User accounts and files

As you can see from the table above, if you are using a previous version of Windows 8, then Microsoft provides no support for you to upgrade. You lose almost everything even though Microsoft says you can upgrade. You can get a screen similar to the one below if you are trying to upgrade from Windows 8 Developer Preview or Consumer Preview edition.

So, are you one of those impatient users like me who want to test every new operating system like Windows 8? Did you tried it yet or you plan to try it soon? Do share your views with us as we would love to hear from you.