The final version of Windows 8 has been released to members of Microsoft’s TechNet and MSDN services, opening the floodgates for a series of hands-on reviews of the finished operating system.

Sites including CNET, InfoWorld, ZDNet and The Verge are out with initial impressions.

One notable addition, as mentioned by ZDNet’s Ed Bott, is an animated intro that educates new users on the mouse gestures and commands needed to navigate Windows 8.

As we’ve explained in the past, there will definitely be a learning curve for longtime Windows users, and this is how Microsoft will try to familiarize new users with notion of pointing the mouse at invisible targets in the corners of the screen to bring up relevant commands.

Another change from the Windows 8 previews is the elimination of the “Aero Glass” interface that made the borders of windows translucent, dating back to the Windows Vista days. That’s replaced with a flatter look more consistent with the rest of Windows 8. (Don’t call it “Metro.”)

The Verge offers a sneak peek at this aspect as part of its review, noting that the color matches the rest of the personalized color scheme that users pick for their Windows 8 installations during setup.

One possible red flag: Driver support for input devices and other peripherals on upgraded computers isn’t yet up to par, according to The Verge. Microsoft and device makers still have a couple months before Windows 8 is publicly released. Here’s hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.

Previously on GeekWire: Shipped! Windows 8 is done, set for October release