While most of the buzz surrounding Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system has revolved around its use in tablets, it is also designed for laptops and desktops. If you don't own a tablet but you would still like to try out the hot offering, learn how to install it on your PC in just a few easy steps.
Windows 8 can be installed on any PC that works with Windows 7, meaning a system with a minimum 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB available of hard disk space (for the 64-bit version you will need 2GB of RAM and 20GB of storage), and graphics hardware capable of running DirectX 9.
Because Windows 8 is still pre-release software, it is strongly recommended to install it as an alternative to your main operating system. Early versions pose risks of crashes, especially considering the numerous hardware combinations possible with a Windows PC.
Step 1 - Necessary Ingredients
The first step, as expected, is making sure your system supports Windows 8. Check if your PC meets the minimum requirements listed above (RAM, processor, storage). You will also need Internet connection, Windows 7, one blank DVD, and one DVD writer.
Step 2 - Partitioning
To keep your current operating system running side-by-side with Windows 8, as recommended, you need to install the new software on a separate hard drive. To divide your hard drive into sections and create a new partition for Windows 8, go to Start Menu, right click on Computer, and select Manage. This will open the Computer Management window. Here you can choose which hard drive you want to split into partitions. In the sidebar menu on the left, go to the Storage category and click on Disk Management. Right click on the hard drive you want to partition and select Shrink Volume. Next, choose how much space you want to shrink for the new partition (40,000MB recommended), and click Shrink again. The new partition will appear with the label "Unallocated." This Unallocated drive will house Windows 8, while your current operating system will remain on the first partition.
Step 3 - Burn Windows 8 DVD
Go to Microsoft's Web site to download Windows 8 as an image file. Click the download link next to your language and PC architecture (choose x86 if you don't know your PC's architecture) and download the image file. Insert a blank DVD into your DVD writer and go to the folder where you saved the download. Right click on the image file (.iso) you downloaded and select "Burn disc image." Check the "Verify disk after burning" option and click Burn.
Step 4 - Boot from Disc
Once the DVD is ready, you will need to boot from the disc to start the installation. First of all, make sure to put the disc burned with the Windows 8 image into your computer drive. When a PC boots up, the operating system generally takes charge after a few seconds and starts loading itself. This means you have a few seconds before it starts to load, during which a text-based screen with a black background will appear. That screen is your chance to interrupt the normal boot-up process to boot from the disc.
Once you inserted the disc with the Windows 8 image file, restart your PC to have it boot up. During this process, you will need to press a key to interrupt the normal booting process and force your PC to boot from the disc before Windows loads. This key may vary depending on vendor: press F9 for HP, F12 for Lenovo, Dell, or Acer, ESC for ASUS, or F10 for Sony. Note that you may need to restart your PC several times in order to interrupt the normal booting process, as you have a window of only a few seconds.
The Windows 8 installation process will begin once your PC boots up from the disc. You will be prompted to select your language preferences. Once you select your preferred language, press Install Now, enter the product key and click Next. Check the "I accept" the License terms box, then click Next again. While most people check the "I agree" box without actually reading the License Terms, it is recommended to read before agreeing. Next, because you are installing Windows 8 to run side-by-side with your current operating system, select the Custom Install option.
Step 5 - Destination
Remember that partition you created in Step 2? Now is the time to use it. Select the "Unallocated Space" partition you created earlier to install Windows 8. Pay extra attention to this step and be careful not to select the partition housing your current OS.
Step 6 - Installation Process
Once you've completed all previous steps, Windows 8 will start the actual installation process. It may take a while, so you may want to have a book or a magazine nearby. The PC will automatically reboot when it's done. From now on, each time you restart your PC you will have a choice of operating systems: the newly installed Windows 8 (which will be the default), or your previous OS. If you want to switch between the two operating systems, simply restart your PC and choose the one you want.
Step 7 - Customize
You can now start personalizing the Start screen. You can choose your favorite color and name your PC, or simply select the Express settings option to keep it simple. You can change the settings later. You can link a Microsoft account to your PC if you wish to do so, or click the "Don't want to sign in with a Microsoft account?" link at the bottom of the page. That's all! The PC will finalize your settings and you can now enjoy Windows 8.
