Complete Guide To Install Windows 8 Developer Preview On VirtualBox

Have you grabbed the latest Windows 8 Developer Build? Now what will you do? Are you going to directly install or have decided to give a try virtually 1st. If you are going to try this Windows 8 on VirtualBox then you might ran into a lot of error! If you are really tired of getting those errors again and again and now leave this off with a big headache, then we are here to help you. Jason Fitzpatrick has find some tweaks out to run Windows 8 on VirtualBox. In this guide, we will explain the step by step procedure (including installation of VirtualBox) to installing Windows 8 on VirtualBox 4.1.2 (which is the latest version). So be ready to join us for more.

Also Check

• How To Dual Boot Windows 8
• Video Tutorial : How To Use Windows 8 On VirtualBox
• Create A Windows 8 Bootable USB Drive/DVD Disc
• Check Whether Your Processor Can Run Windows 8 Virtually Or Not
• Create Or Manage A Partition Using Windows Disk Management MMC Snap-In

Note: Not all processor can run Windows 8 virtually. If you want to run Window 8 on VirtualBox, your PC have to meet the minimum system requirement including a processor with Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Technology (HAV). Refer to our previous article for detail note.

Installing VirtualBox

Download the VirtualBox (Links below) and then run the setup file. Allow UAC if asked. Now click “Yes” to start the installation procedure.

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Now click on the “Next” to proceed.

Now here select the desired programs to be installed (Leaving this as default is recommended). Also use “Browse” to select the installation folder (Leave it if you want VIrtualBox to be installed in default location). Click Next while finished.

Now the installer will ask you whether a Desktop Shortcut and a Quick Launch Bar will be created or not. Check/Uncheck this to have your preferred option.

Now you are ready to install VirtualBox. Click Install to begin the process.

It will now install VirtualBox on your System.

After sometimes, you will be asked if you are sure to install new driver. Click on “Install”. To prevent additional such security check, you can put a tik on “Always trust software from Oracle” option.

Now the setup will finish and you are ready to run VirtualBox.

Creating New VirtualBox Machine For Windows 8

Creating a new Virtual Machine will be an easy and regular task. Yet let’s check how. After installing VirtualBox, run it. Select “New” and then click next to proceed.

Now give your new virtual machine a name and from the OS Type option, select “Microsoft Windows” for Operating System and select “Windows 7” for Version. Then click next.

Important Note: You have to select Windows 7 from version even if you are running VirtualBox on Windows 7 x64. Do not continue if Windows 7 (64-bit) is selected, otherwise VirtualBox will crash.

Now you have to allocate RAM for this virtual machine. We will recommend to allocate minimum 1 GB Memory for Windows 8 32-bit. Select 2GB if you have 4GB or more. We will continue with 1GB. Click next when done.

Once you have allocated memory, you will then be prompted to either load or create a start up disk. By default, the Boot Hard Disk and Create new hard disk options are selected. We will leave it untouched.

Now on the next step, make sure then the VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) is selected. Then click Next.

To ensure maximum capability of your currently installed system and save your disk space, we are going to select “Fixed Size” from the next option.

Now it’s time to make sure how much disk space you are going to give up for Windows 8. This is 20GB by default. We will recommend you to keep it minimum 20GB. Otherwise the system may fail to start. Also use the browse button (right to the virtual machine name) to select where the files will be saved. Select a partition with minimum space freed.

In the last step, you will get a quick summary of the settings you have selected. Click Create to begin creating virtual disk file.

Now sit back for a while and the VirtualBox will automatically start to generate your new Virtual Hard Drive.

This process might take sometimes (5-15 minutes or even more depending on your system and the allocation size). Once the process is finished, click on Create and then role to the configuration part.

Configuring VirtualBox For Windows 8

You have created a new virtual machine to use Windows 8 on VirtualBox. Now the setting up process is done and the tweaking process has began. Make sure to follow all carefully or you will not be able to run Windows 8. After the previous process has finished, you will be taken to the VirtualBox home interface. From there, highlight your recently created Virtual Machine and click “Settings”

Select “Settings” tab from the left panel and then make sure to put a check on “Enable IO APIC”.

Then move to the “Processor tab and check on “Enable PAE/NX”

Then from the Acceleration tab, make sure that both Enable VT-x/AMD-V and Enable Nested Paging are checked.

This is an important process. Leaving them will not give you a chance to try Windows 8. Now move to Storage tab from the left panel and click Empty under IDE Controller. Now Click the CD icon just right to CD/DVD Drive selection box and click Choose a virtual CD/DVD disk file. Now browse for the iso file of Windows 8 and select it. When done, click ok.

Now you will be taken back to the main interface. Click Start to begin installation of Windows 8 and follow the on-screen instructions.

Then start installation.

After the installation is complete, you can start using Windows 8.

Download VirtualBox

Download Windows 8 Developer Preview