The Windows 8 Consumer Preview is now ready for download. There are two ways to get it. You can grab ISO images here, and a 5 MB installer that'll also check your system's compatibility here. The executable installer should result in a smaller download, but the ISO will be better if you want to install on multiple machines.

Windows Server 8 beta is also available, with ISOs here.

The final part of Microsoft's beta trifecta is Visual Studio 11 Express, downloadable here, and Ultimate here. MSDN subscribers can also grab more fully-featured versions from Subscriber Downloads.

Have at it, and look for our thoughts on Microsoft's latest and greatest soon.