Back when the Windows 8 Consumer Preview hit the Web, we offered a basic guide on configuring a virtual machine. With Windows 8'southward Release Preview available and the final version inching toward completion, nosotros effigy it's a great time to offer a similarly easy footstep-by-stride walkthrough on installing Windows eight with a USB drive.

If you're familiar with the process, there isn't much for you to see hither, only this should serve equally a quick conviction booster for anyone who hasn't installed an operating organization recently.

Footstep 1

Download Windows viii and the Windows vii USB/DVD tool

If yous're non sure what version of Windows 8 to download, we'd recommend the 64-chip build, especially if your system is relatively mod. You can read more than most the difference betwixt 32-bit and 64-fleck operating systems here and the download folio linked above provides system requirements for each compages. The short of it: Windows 8 64-chip requires an actress 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage -- negligible for most users. As well, earlier you ask, the Windows 7 USB/DVD tool volition work fine with Windows 8.

Pace Two

Create a bootable Windows 8 USB drive

Naturally, to create a bootable USB drive, you'll take to insert one and information technology needs to be 4GB or larger. Install the Windows seven USB/DVD tool. One time the utility opens, yous should exist able to browse for and select the Windows 8 ISO you downloaded too as the USB drive you inserted. Information technology'due south worth noting that your USB bulldoze will be wiped, so salvage anything important. The process takes almost 5 minutes depending on the speed of your drive. You lot'll come across a message that reads "fill-in completed" when it'south done.

Step 3

Install the Windows 8 Release Preview (central: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF)

Needless to say, support annihilation of import earlier proceeding. If yous program to upgrade or overwrite your installation of Windows XP, Vista or 7, open the root directory of your USB drive in Windows Explorer and launch Setup.exe to begin. You'll go to cull between the two. Windows seven users should have a painless upgrade as programs, Windows settings every bit well equally user accounts and files are imported. However, Windows 8 won't save programs from Vista and it won't save programs or Windows settings from XP.

If you lot desire to dual boot Windows eight with your existing operating arrangement, you lot'll take to install a 2nd storage device or create a new partition. The sometime is relatively self-explanatory, but attach the drive and choose information technology during the installation process. The latter, however, requires a petty more try. Vista and 7 users tin create a new sectionalization with Windows' Disk Direction application (Start > search for Disk Management). Once the application loads, you should see your operating system's drive. Follow these steps:

  • Correct click the drive that y'all want to business firm Windows 8 and cull "Shrink Volume" (Windows 8 64-bit requires at least 20GB, so compress your current segmentation accordingly)
  • Right click the new "Unallocated" space and create a "New Simple Book"
  • Choose the next bachelor drive alphabetic character and quick format the partition with NTFS (you tin can proper name the volume annihilation, but nosotros'd suggest something similar Windows 8 RP x64)

Windows XP users will have brand segmentation adjustments with a tertiary-party tool such as Partition Logic, but you'll do the same thing: shrink one book to create some other. It should exist smoothen sailing from here equally Microsoft'southward installation process guides you through everything. Just boot off your Windows 8 USB drive, choose a custom installation and select your newly created partition. If you're having trouble launching the USB drive, you probably but have to put it ahead of your organization drive in the BIOS (look for kicking options).

If you lot want to get rid of Windows 8, load your primary Os and launch partitioning software (over again, Disk Management for Vista or 7 users). Delete the Windows eight volume and extend your remaining partition into the freshly unallocated space. Removing Windows eight could spiral upwards your bootloader and prevent your original Bone from starting properly. Don't panic, this is a elementary fix. Windows Vista and 7 users tin apply the automated Startup Repair, while Windows XP users will have to get their hands a piddling dirtier.