Install Windows 8 in VirtualBox

Ever want to try the latest and greatest iteration of your favourite operating system? In such cases, virtualisation is your friend. It allows you to easily try out a new operating system without making any changes to your existing operating system. VirtualBox is the most popular free virtualisation solution available, and this tutorial will teach you how to install Windows 8 in VirtualBox.

Steps

  1. Acquire the software. For instructions on how to download and install VirtualBox follow This link. Windows 8 it is available on Microsoft’s web page here Make sure you download the iso.
  2. Once VirtualBox is installed and Windows 8 is downloaded, open VirtualBox and select new machine
  3. Type in Windows 8 into the text box or whatever you want to name the Operating System. Once this is done, select windows on the first scroll menu than select Windows 8 from the version box (second scroll box).
  4. When the setup wizard asks you how much ram to give the machine giving the machine the default ram should be fine but if you have surplus or limited ram adjusting the slider is fine.
  5. Now when the wizard asks about a new virtual hard disk do not select anything. Simply select next.
  6. Next the wizard will ask what type of virtual hard drive you want select VDI or virtual box disk image than select next.( virtual box disk image should be selected by default)
  7. Now the wizard will ask you to set the disk space for the hard drive you may select dynamically allocated or a fixed size. You may choose either but often fixed size is better as it is faster and more stable.
  8. Now select the size of the disk as a minimum 20 gigabytes should be selected but the more space the merrier.
  9. When the summery page is brought up select create and wait as this may take a while.
  10. Now launch your virtual machine by opening VirtualBox and clicking on the machine.
  11. When a dialog box appears select your Windows8 iso.
  12. Now is the easy part simply follow the on screen instructions and enjoy you cutting edge new OS.



Tips

  • Allocate more than 1 GB of Ram to Windows 8.
  • Make sure you are running the latest version of VirtualBox.
  • Windows 8 working in VirtualBox is not proof that it is compatible with your computer.

Warnings

  • This can take up lots of your hard drive space depending on what you select.
  • Don't attempt this on old or low-performance computers. It will slow down your computer severely.
  • Back up your virtual machine before making any changes.

Related Articles

  • Install Windows 10 in VirtualBox
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Install_Windows_8_in_VirtualBox&oldid=356722"