Instructions for Installing Windows 8 Side by Side with Windows 7

This article aims to explain how to use Windows 7 and Windows 8 side by side. This compilation of data is easy to understand and up to date. It is essential to highlight that the success or failure of the information depends entirely on how carefully you follow it. This will prevent issues, saving you the trouble of contacting Microsoft’s technical assistance.

Users have been searching for ways to test Windows 8 beta on their current Windows 7 machines since it became available. Installing an OS (even a beta version) requires special care because it is sensitive. Common Windows 7 issues can arise even if you’ve followed the installation instructions to a T. Do not fret! Follow the detailed instructions below to get the desired result on your own. This will save you from having to contact Microsoft’s technical support and will be time well spent.

Instructions:

The Windows 8 Developer Preview is available for download from Microsoft’s website. Save the file to an easily accessible spot on your hard drive when prompted, and then burn it to a DVD or create an ISO file. A USB flash drive can also be used to set up the Preview. The USB/DVD Download Tool is a built-in feature of Windows 7.

Keep a copy of your data on an external disk in a secure location. Set up your computer to boot from a disc, CD, or USB drive in the BIOS. You should realize that installing Windows 8 will require roughly 7.5 GB of storage space before you get started. Consequently, you’ll need at least 20GB (more is preferable) of free space on your hard drive.

It’s time for a Windows 7 hard drive partition change. Access the Manage submenu by selecting Computer from the Start menu and right-clicking it. In the Windows Management window, select Disk Management by scrolling down to it. All of your computer’s drives will be displayed on the right.

To reduce the size of a drive, you can right-click it and select the Shrink Volume option. Once the disk space total and available space dialog box displays, input the amount to be reduced. To begin the process of shrinking, select the Shrink button. Hold tight till the process is over. When finished, right-click the Unallocated area and choose New Simple Volume from the drop-down menu.

The New Simple Volume Wizard will launch. Select the drive’s letter from the drop-down menu and click the Next button to change it. Select Format this volume, then keep the Default values for the File system and Allocation unit size. The next step is to label the volume (like “Win8”) and move on from there. To start the formatting process, click the Finish button. Hold off until it’s done. Your new drive will appear in the other list when you’re done.

To install Windows 8 without reorganizing your partitions, you can create a VHD (Virtual Hard Drive). To make a virtual hard drive, open Windows’s Management console as described above, navigate to Disk Management, click the Action button, and choose Create VHD. To save the newly generated VHD, click the Browse option and navigate to the spot where you want to store it in the Windows directory. Make sure the box next to “Expands dynamically” is checked. Type a name in the File name box (such as VHD for Win8) before clicking the Save button. After creating a new drive, you’ll need to reformat it.

Now that you’ve prepared your drive for Windows 8 by either repartitioning or making a VHD, you can begin the installation process. Reboot your computer by inserting a disc or plugging in a flash drive. If you want to boot from a DVD/CD instead, you can do so by pressing any key on the keyboard when prompted.

Click the Next button after making your language, time zone, and currency format selections (such as English (United States) and Keyboard/Input Method selections (such as US) on the Install Windows screen. To begin, please click the “Install Now” option.

Please wait until a new window containing installation choices appears. Disk partitioning can be accessed by selecting the Custom (advanced) option. Select the division you made before (above) and click Next with Care. Doing so will launch the setup procedure. Just give it time to finish. Once you’re done, follow the prompts to alter Windows to your liking. When done, your computer will restart multiple times (maybe more than once), each presenting the Windows 8 Welcome screen. In addition, a graphical bootloader (similar to Choose an Operating System) will let you select Windows 7 or Windows 8 as the operating system to boot into.

On the Choose an Operating System box, select Change defaults or other settings to preserve Windows 7 as a bootable option. The Options to Change window will open. Select Windows 7 from the list of available OSes by clicking the Choose default operating system button. The timing and other settings can be adjusted further to suit your needs. With both versions of Windows operating on your machine, you may have the best of both worlds.

Extra Suggestions:

An alternative to a DVD is a USB flash drive.

There are 1024 MB in a GB. So, 20GB is equal to 20480 MB. This means you need to reduce the size of your drives by 20480MBs.

Certified online technical help is provided by V tech-squad Inc., the industry’s premier third-party service provider. Support for Microsoft products, as well as other computer and non-computer equipment (printers, wireless routers, scanners, etc.), is just one example of our high-quality services.
If you have questions about Windows 7 Support, you can contact V tech-squad online at their Toll-Free No, +1-877-452-9201 For US/CA.

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