Step
1:
The
first thing you should do is head
to http://www.techspot.com/downloads/5330-windows-8-release-preview.html and
download the installation image for your chosen architecture. The
image used in the creation of this guide is the 64-bit
(x64) ISO.
Step
2:
Using
NERO burn the .iso you downloaded to a DVD.
Step
3:
Before
you go any further, ensure all important data is backed up in case of
data loss on your drives. This guide assumes you have media backups
of your hard drives and you are safe to proceed.
Warning:
Installing another operating system without first ensuring you have
backups of your current files and operating system is a big risk. If
you have no data to lose or you’ve backed up important data, you’re
ready to proceed. YOU are responsible if you lose data.
Disclaimer:
It goes without saying, that neither me or TechSpot accept any
liability or responsibility for any errors or damages made to your
computer during, or after installing this operating system. It is up
to the user to ensure proper backups are made of important documents
and files.
Step
4:
Ensure
you have a network cable connected, restart your computer, and boot
from the DVD drive.
Step
5:
The
DVD will begin to load up, and you'll be presented by the following
screen as the installer starts.
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vTiRDBu3jgtGMIYm0Y5rZpyi7T8jxXSsybJ2LAoNjq7M6ebEXla2ctxP2NLkFdWhLb8arXFZc2mkhqVY1bh9RkQyNVTW9Bc5F0v6ji5ih8hA6d3z1a6CbOmIfG1HLVEHbJGrnrkoJWrNAjAxxM8mg8hNzf=s0-d)
Step
6:
Once
loaded you will see the following screen.
Select
your location, keyboard and regional language settings as required
and click "next" to continue and you'll see the following
box:
Click
"Install now" to continue with the installation.
Step
7:
You'll
then be asked to provide the product key to activate Windows.
Enter
the product key as written in the screenshot above. For the sake of
clarity, the product key is TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF for
both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Once
you have entered the product key, click "next" to continue
to the next step.
Step
8:
Before
you can proceed with the setup any further you're required to accept
Microsoft's license terms, as below.
Read
the terms, and once you're happy, tick the "I accept the license
terms" box, and click "next" to continue to the next
step.
Step
9:
You
will be greeted with the following screen.
For
the purposes of this guide, we'll assume you are performing a fresh
installation of Windows 8 Release Preview. Therefore, this tutorial
covers the "Custom" option which will install a fresh copy
of Windows 8 Release Preview onto a clean hard drive, without backing
up and restoring any existing files or settings.
The
first option, "upgrade" will allow those running previous
versions of Windows to upgrade to Windows 8 whilst keeping all files,
settings and applications during the setup of the new operating
system.
Step
10:
The
setup will then continue and start the disk manager as below.
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tl4VMwJxNPfVAZ5F3tga-Okb1B-SeEg8KCsla0Zv3KvHyOoWM10wUG1BfCMoZTZp-ZYoUBKy7WyUxzq-807ijl_3Yv4Vi5K8_YPG3SxaGiVaEXXVmUEq-o4lwlbtrPJsCAn1a0PgtC0arIu3j-azIxOeZ9=s0-d)
Select
the correct drive to use for the installation of Windows 8 Release
Preview, and click "next" to continue. For those trying
this in a Virtual Machine, 20-25GB of hard drive space is more than
adequate.
Note:
This step is the last point in which you can abort the installation
without permanent data loss to drives. Please ensure you have working
backups before proceeding further.
Step
11:
Windows
setup will then begin to install Windows 8 Release Preview to the
hard drive, and will work through several stages as detailed below.
The
installer may restart during the installation stage as it configures
the computer to run the new operating system.
Step
12:
Once
complete, it will reboot again and setup the computers devices and
finalize the installation, as below.
Once
this stage has finished, you will be greeted with the following
screen.
Select
your preferred colour scheme for Metro, and then name your computer.
The PC name is used to identify the computer on local networks and
ideally should be named so that other users your network can identify
who the computer belongs to. Then click "next" to
proceed.
Step
13:
You
will then be greeted with the following window.
At
this point you can specify the final settings required in the
configuration of your new Windows installation. You can either choose
"use express settings" or click "customize" to
change the express settings.
If
you are unsure, it is best to choose the first option. The installer
will then configure the final settings and move onto the next
step.
Step
14:
The
next step asks you if you wish to sign into your PC using a Windows
Live account.
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vPebZ2rGrGnrqduwxNFQWdWZ3ZfUSeKERm5iNDYU6R8WdHrn5QYRl0H5eajJsK-foMiBu3WPqOT6dR2xBBkNso75t_KRWHLGfZN_IdZHOjHXH1u4AgEr3FTw1la25VGuBX4PN8JvAa1SVC-3PKSptYEn3KhQ=s0-d)
Unlike
previous versions of Windows, Microsoft's new operating system
heavily integrates the Redmond-based firms Windows Live features,
including messenger, contacts, calendar and mail.
Signing
in using your Windows Live account also offers Windows 8 users
additional benefits like the ability to download additional apps from
the Windows Store and automatic synchronization of all your Windows 8
computers so they look and feel the same regardless of which one
you're using.
Note:
Your Windows Live ID also becomes your username for Windows 8 Release
Preview, and uses your Windows Live ID password to log in.
Enter
your Windows Live ID, and click "next" to continue.
You
will then be asked for your password for your Windows Live account.
Click "next" to continue.
The
final step of integrating your Windows Live account with your new
installation of Windows 8 Release Preview requires you to provide
additional verification information. For those that have previously
set this up, the fields will be completed already. Verify they are
correct, or add the required information and click "next"
to continue.
Step
15:
Windows
8 Release Preview will then complete its final configuration.
Once
complete, it will then boot into Windows for the first time, as
below.
Installation
is now complete, and you can enjoy your new OS and begin exploring
its features.