the new look launcher prompts me to either download ver. 1.12 pre release or continue on ver. 1.11.2 - 1.7.10.

When I select either option I expect it to start downloading and showing how far it is on the progress bar at the bottom.

The system accepts my selection and then shows "Preparing" below the download status bar.

The system then freezes or hangs there for a very long time and there is no activity on the download / status bar at all.

It has been hanging like that for almost an hour.