Poor Microsoft just can’t keep anything secret.  Today the Release Preview version of Windows 8, which will be released in the coming days, has leaked out to P2P.  The build, which is labeled 8400, hit bit torrent and is spreading quickly.  Numerous sites have already posted screenshots of the next version of the operating system.

The build, which is offically 8400.0.WINMAIN_WIN8RC.120518-1423_X64FRE_CLIENT_ZH-CN-HRC_CCSA_X64FRE_ZH-CN_DV5, contains 3 new Metro-style apps from Microsoft – News, Sports, and Travel – as well as built-in support for Adobe Flash.  The web site Winunleaked confirmed the legitimacy of the leaked copy and also provides links if you are so inclined to try it out.  I recommend extreme caution with any such download.

Windows 8 Release Preview is expected to be released in early June and will be available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.  If you can’t wait another week then check your P2P client, but make sure you install it on a PC that you don’t mind experimenting with and is insulated from the rest of your network.  Better yet, just wait a few days and get it directly from Microsoft.