Earlier, we have discussed on how to Install Windows 8 as Virtual OS using Oracle VM VirtualBox and VMware 8.
Ofcourse the safest way to test Windows 8 is to install it as a Virtual Machine. However, if you want to experiment installing Windows 8 on real hardware and if you are planning to test your hardware for Windows 8, here in this article i will explain you how to install Windows 8 in dual boot mode along with Windows 7.
Steps to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8
Ok, here it goes… As per Microsoft, Windows 8 operating system requires a clean installation and users can not install it on any prior version of Windows even over Windows 7 operating system.
And by default, Windows 8 is set to install on C drive. However, one can easily install both Windows 7 and Windows 8 side by side as a dual boot by following the procedure mentioned below.
- Download Windows 8 OS from the Microsoft site. Click on the link to Download Windows 8
- If you want to boot with DVD, you can Burn the Windows 8 ISO.
- If you want to install from a USB drive, you can install Windows 8 from a USB drive.
- You have to create a new partition "D" on your hard drive. You can do it by using Disk Management in Windows 7 OS. To create a fresh partition, select the old partition "C", and shrink the "C" volume by leaving a free space of minimum 20GB for Windows 8.
- Insert the Windows 8 DVD or bootable USB drive and make the system to boot with respective drives.
- When you started booting Windows 8, you will get a message "Press any key to start", do that and wait till Setup loads files.
- After few seconds, you will get a "Install Windows" screen. Choose the language, Keyboard and time. Then accept the license agreement.
- Now, select the Custom (advanced) option. Select the newly created partition "D" or any other partition, except "C". If you select "C", your Windows 7 OS will be wiped out.
- Go to "Drive options" and format the newly created drive.
- Click "Next" and wait till the installation get completed. Once the installation is completed, it will restarts and you can notice a Graphical boot loader with the option to choose an operating system.
- Now, you can choose to boot with "Windows Developer Preview" or "Windows 7" operating system. By default, Windows 8 is set to boot first, if you don't select any OS with in 30seconds.
Windows 8 is beautiful, and it completely revamps the operating system to be compatible with both touchscreen devices like tablets and traditional PCs, is now available to anyone who wants it as Microsoft released a preview (and is also available for download) of Windows 8 to developers at the Microsoft BUILD conference. If you have not downloaded Windows 8 yet, just get your copy of Windows 8 from this location.