WinRumor is reporting that Microsoft has started sending early access invitation of Windows 8 pre-build to OEMs via their Microsoft Connect program. The newly launched program named “Windows 8 and Server vNext Pre-Release Program” provides download access to Windows 8 build 7971.0.110324-1900 to selected OEM partners via personalized access links which look like http://connect.microsoft.com/site1094/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=5474&InvitationID=XXX-XXXX-XXXX where XXX-XXXX-XXXX is the unique invitation code. A fresh set of complete step-by-step installation screenshots (posted after the jump) of Windows 8 also confirms the news.

Few weeks ago a leaked build of Windows 8 provided hints of an "Push Button Reset" feature, the first screenshot of this developmental feature is now available thanks to Win7China.

The new "System Reset" feature will allow users to go-back to default Windows 8 install removing all installed applications and restoring to default OS settings. This feature will definitely come handy saving time in-cases where Windows re-installation is the only option left keeping user files and settings intact.

Just few days ago the very first leaked screenshots of Microsoft Windows 8 surfaced on internet showing nothing but minor user-interface changes, to get things going more screenshots have now appeared on internet displaying significant tweaks to the taskbar - notable being the ability to login using Windows Live ID which displays the user's profile picture in new system tray.

Another major exciting feature is said to be the speed at which Windows 8 setup installs from scratch and the number is just 8 minutes for a complete OS install (Windows 7 took 23-25 minutes to install on same PC configuration), and if that was not impressive enough you can also restore (or "Push Button Reset") the complete OS to default in flat 2 minutes saving your existing settings.

Microsoft Windows 7 is doing good business and we are yet to see the final version of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 but rumors are that Microsoft has already started working on Windows 8 and fans have started creating cool futuristic GUI concepts mock-ups of the next Microsoft operating-system. Here is a video demo of an fan created concept which I would definitely like Microsoft to have a look at (video after the jump).

Microsoft Windows 7 is due retail release on October 22, 2009 and according to some reports Microsoft has already started working on Windows 8, we have seen artists conceptualizing Microsoft Windows 8 GUI and features via creations like Windows 8 Transformation Pack and Windows 8 Superbar but the real shocker came when I saw a leaked version of Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Edition available for download on a torrent portal accompanied with the following screen-shots.