Install and use Windows 8 in parallel with previous versions

This tutorial shows you how to install Windows 8 in parallel with available Windows in your computer. Thus, you can try the “hot” Windows 8 without removing the current Windows.

Requirements:

The required specifications for Windows 8 is not too high. The minimum requirements are as follows:

- CPU: 1GHz.

- RAM: 1GB.

- One free partition >= 20GB. Note: this partition should be different from that of the current Windows.

 

Preparation:

First, you download the image of Windows 8 from http://soft4all.info/free-software-download/download-windows-8-developer-preview-build/ (including 32-bit and 64-bit versions)

After downloading, you can use a disk burning software (such as CDBurnerXP or UltraISO) to write the ISO file into a DVD. In the case you don’t want to install from DVD but from USB, you can do following steps:

- Plug USB to computer. Note: USB must be bigger than 3GB. Backup all data in your USB.

- If you are using WinXP, you can download Microsoft Image Mastering API V2 at http://htwares.com/windows/system-utilities/other/image-mastering-api-imapiv20-for-windows-xp/ and install it. Note: if you are using Windows 7, skip this step.

- Next, install .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2 which can be downloaded from http://htwares.com/windows/system-utilities/other/net-framework-20/ . Note: skip this step if you are using Windows 7.

- Now download Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (free) at http://htwares.com/windows/system-utilities/other/windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool/ and install it.

- After installing all necessary programs, run Windows 7 USB/DVC Download Tool and click  Browse in the main interface and browse to file iso of Windows 8 downloaded above and then click Next.

- Choose USB Device in the next step and click Begin Copying.

- This progress will format your USB and copy Windows 8 files from iso file into your USB.

After completing, restart your computer. You may need to go to BIOS to set the booting mode is “booting with USB”. If you install by DVD, choose CD/DVD as the booting device.

 

Start Installing

Now, you computer will restart from DVD (or USB), the Windows 8 set-up process will start. First, you need to choose the display language and click Next to continue.

- Click Install Now.

- Choose Custom (Advanced) in the next step to install Windows 8 in parallel with the available Windows.

- Choose the free partition that you want to install Windows 8 to.

- Your computer will continue installing Windows 8 after restarting.

- After input the name, you can click “Use express settings” to install with default settings.

- Next, Windows requires you input your Windows Live ID. If you don’t want or don’t have a ID, choose “Don’t want to log on…” and choose Local Account.

Note, user name must be different with the computer name. Wait until the installation process is complete.

 

Some new features of Windows 8

The default interface of Windows 8 is Metro as in Windows Phone 7. You can use mouse to scroll the interface (as using touch screen).

To access to Desktop interface (as in Windows 7), click “Desktop”.

From the Metro interface, you can run Internet Explorer 10 to surf internet as in Windows Phone. In this mode, the address bar is located at the bottom, tabs are displayed as thumbnails on the top.

To turn off your computer, move pointer to START at the left-down corner, choose Setting. You can choose turn off or restart computer from the panel on the right.

To access Metro interface from an app, press Alt+Tab. Some more images about the new interface in Windows 8.

Memory management in Task Manager

 

Task Manager

 

Windows Explorer with Ribbon interface on top

 

Control Panel

 

Weather forecast

 

When clicking on Windows App in Metro interface, the message will be display as above because this function is being built.

 

Using Windows 8 in parallel with available Windows:

In default, your system will start into Windows 8. In the case you want to use both of them at the same time, from Windows 8, press Windows + R. From Run dialog, input “SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe “ and press Enter.

In System Settings dialog, click “Settings” at “Startup and Recovery”. Choose “System Startup” in the new dialog and choose “Earlier Version of Windows”.

Now, you can see 2 options when starting your computer.