The Windows 8 Consumer Preview has reached 1 million downloads in just the first day of its release, demonstrating the anticipation that is building in the lead up to the full release of Windows 8.

Now available as a download for PC for those who are running Windows 7, the consumer preview gives users a taster of what's to come on Microsoft's next-gen operating system.

Alongside the launch of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview was the announcement of a few new features that will be coming to the operating system.

First up is the launch of the Windows Store, a dedicated store for finding apps that can be used with Windows 8 and the Metro UI, this includes some that were previewed today including a WordPress app.

There will also be seamless cloud synchronisation between devices using Windows 8, for those people with a Windows Phone handset using SkyDrive will apparently become much easier.

Of course it wouldn't be Windows without Internet Explorer, and sure enough along with the Consumer Preview is there is a platform preview of Internet Explorer 10.

Interestingly there was no mention of Windows Phone and the next release for that device, with Microsoft removing the number from its operating system it could be a sign that the OS will be progressing at its own pace rather than to match Windows 8.