Computers

How to install Windows 8.1 preview on a virtual machine

How to install Windows 8.1 preview on a virtual machine
Curious about what Windows 8.1 has to offer? Here'show to install it on VirtualBox and test it out yourself
Curious about what Windows 8.1 has to offer? Here'show to install it on VirtualBox and test it out yourself
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Here you can leave everything set to the defaults
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Here you can leave everything set to the defaults
You'll need to select the Windows 8.1 ISO file as the virtual DVD to start the installation
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You'll need to select the Windows 8.1 ISO file as the virtual DVD to start the installation
Even though this is a free preview, Microsoft still requires a product key
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Even though this is a free preview, Microsoft still requires a product key
When the installation kicks off, you can use this time to catch up on your favorite mobile game
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When the installation kicks off, you can use this time to catch up on your favorite mobile game
After starting your VM this is the first screen you should see to start the Windows install
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After starting your VM this is the first screen you should see to start the Windows install
You'll get a few messages about switching between VirtualBox and your host computer, which is the right Ctrl key by default
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You'll get a few messages about switching between VirtualBox and your host computer, which is the right Ctrl key by default
You'll need to agree to the pre-release software license terms
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You'll need to agree to the pre-release software license terms
The 25 GB drive that was created in the first steps is clear and ready to have the OS installed on it
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The 25 GB drive that was created in the first steps is clear and ready to have the OS installed on it
Express settings is what I always go with when installing Windows 8, you can always make changes later
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Express settings is what I always go with when installing Windows 8, you can always make changes later
choose a background color and give the virtual machine a name
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choose a background color and give the virtual machine a name
Enter in your existing Microsoft account info or create one
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Enter in your existing Microsoft account info or create one
You will need to get a security code sent to your email or text to your smartphone
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You will need to get a security code sent to your email or text to your smartphone
A major improvement with Windows 8.1 is that SkyDrive is integrated throughout the OS and you don't need to install the desktop version separately
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A major improvement with Windows 8.1 is that SkyDrive is integrated throughout the OS and you don't need to install the desktop version separately
After you have Windows 8.1 installed on VirtualBox, go into settings and move the hard drive to the top position for a faster boot time
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After you have Windows 8.1 installed on VirtualBox, go into settings and move the hard drive to the top position for a faster boot time
This is the screen you'll see while your apps and start screen is being set up
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This is the screen you'll see while your apps and start screen is being set up
Windows 8.1 successfully running in VirtualBox
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Windows 8.1 successfully running in VirtualBox
The virtual hardware settings should be fine by default, but you can always change them
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The virtual hardware settings should be fine by default, but you can always change them
Choose a custom install since this is a brand new VM with a clean disk that doesn't need upgraded
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Choose a custom install since this is a brand new VM with a clean disk that doesn't need upgraded
Curious about what Windows 8.1 has to offer? Here'show to install it on VirtualBox and test it out yourself
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Curious about what Windows 8.1 has to offer? Here'show to install it on VirtualBox and test it out yourself
View gallery - 19 images

If you aren't happy with Windows 8, and are curious to find out what's new in Windows 8.1, rather than just read about it, why not try it for yourself and install it in a Virtual Machine? It's easy to do, and will give you some hands on time to really see what you can expect. Here I'll show you the quickest and easiest way to get it installed and working.

The Windows 8.1 preview is currently available as a free download via the Windows Store or an ISO file. If you currently have a Windows 8 computer, don't do an upgrade install. If you do, when the final version comes out at the end of August, you'll need to re-install all of your apps and desktop programs.

What You'll Need

Install Windows 8.1 preview on VirtualBox

Start by setting up a new machine in VirtualBox and click the button to show the machine description. Give the machine a name. Include "Windows 8.1" in the name and it will automatically select the correct minimum settings for you. You'll want to use at least 1 GB for the 32-bit version and 2 GB for the 64-bit. Unless you're setting this up in an IT setting or as a developer to test services or applications, I recommend just going with the 32-bit version. This makes set up easier as you can keep the default settings.

The virtual hardware settings should be fine by default, but you can always change them
The virtual hardware settings should be fine by default, but you can always change them

The next step of the wizard will have you set up with what you need. A virtual drive of 25 GB which is a perfect size for testing out the new OS.

Here you can leave everything set to the defaults
Here you can leave everything set to the defaults

Now you need to load up the ISO. Go to Settings > Storage and select the empty IDE drive. Click the disc icon and select "Choose a virtual CD/DVD disk file" and browse to the location of the Windows 8.1 ISO to load it up. Or, if you want to go the old school route, you can use a burned Win8.1 DVD.

You'll need to select the Windows 8.1 ISO file as the virtual DVD to start the installation
You'll need to select the Windows 8.1 ISO file as the virtual DVD to start the installation

Once the ISO is loaded up, start up your VM and the Windows 8.1 installer will start up. If you've installed Windows before you'll see that the install process is basic, just follow the onscreen prompts. When you get to the screen to enter a product key, type in: NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F

Don't worry, we're not giving anything away here. This is the key Microsoft published for everyone to use for the preview.

Even though this is a free preview, Microsoft still requires a product key
Even though this is a free preview, Microsoft still requires a product key

When the installer asks which type of installation you want, select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)."

Choose a custom install since this is a brand new VM with a clean disk that doesn't need upgraded
Choose a custom install since this is a brand new VM with a clean disk that doesn't need upgraded

Then you'll see the drive you created during the initial setup at 25 GB is ready to accept the install of Windows, you don't need to do anything here other than click next.

The 25 GB drive that was created in the first steps is clear and ready to have the OS installed on it
The 25 GB drive that was created in the first steps is clear and ready to have the OS installed on it

Now just kick back and wait while Windows 8.1 installs on the VM. The amount of time it takes will vary depending on the speed of your hardware. For instance, I'm doing this on an older second gen Core i3 laptop with 4 GB of RAM. It only took 15 minutes.

Once you see the Personalize screen go ahead and pick your color for the background and enter in a name for the machine.

choose a background color and give the virtual machine a name
choose a background color and give the virtual machine a name

Next select express settings. It's the fastest way to get things rolling. If it turns out that you don't like some of the express settings you can change them later.

Express settings is what I always go with when installing Windows 8, you can always make changes later
Express settings is what I always go with when installing Windows 8, you can always make changes later

Set up a Microsoft account if you don't already have one, or simply log in with your existing one. I recommend using your Microsoft account because with Windows 8 and new Microsoft services, everything is more easily integrated together with your single account.

For instance, your system settings will easily transfer between different Windows 8 PCs and devices. This makes it much easier to set up different systems to how you like them without having to reconfigure everything each time.

Enter in your existing Microsoft account info or create one
Enter in your existing Microsoft account info or create one

After entering your account info, you'll need to verify that it's actually you. Microsoft will send you a code via email or a text to your phone that you'll need to enter.

You will need to get a security code sent to your email or text to your smartphone
You will need to get a security code sent to your email or text to your smartphone

After a restart, success! You're now ready to test and use the new version of Windows in a VM.

Windows 8.1 successfully running in VirtualBox
Windows 8.1 successfully running in VirtualBox

Summing Up

To make sure you have all of the benefits and features, the first thing you should do is run Windows Update. Believe it or not, there are several updates available for the preview version. You might also want to go in and tweak various settings as needed in VirtualBox. Start playing around with the OS and, if it's running slowly, boost the RAM on the VM, or try adjusting the resolution.

The benefit of installing the preview in a VM is that you can start playing around with Windows 8.1 without worrying about messing up your current Windows 8 system. Also remember that if you were to upgrade a current version of Windows 8 to 8.1, when the final release comes out (which is due at the end of August), you'll need to re-install all of your apps and desktop programs, which is a huge annoyance.

While this 8.1 preview is available, the easiest way to try it out is via a VM as shown here. Of course you don't get the touchscreen features to try out some of the new built-in gestures, but it'll allow you to get a good understanding of what's new.

View gallery - 19 images
6 comments
6 comments
Chizzy
if i didn't have to reinstall my programs when i upgraded from windows 7 to windows 8, why would I have to do so to upgrade to 8.1? I think something is not right about that statement.
Ben O'Brien
This will be the third time I have tried to install it and it's still not working.
The first time it tried to overwrite my current OS and because I'm not crazy I didn't. Opened inside windows 7 by running right from the DVD I burned it to.
The secound time it said it wouldn't do it into a partition because it wasn't compatible with that sort of disk space or file format. Booted off the DVD.
The third time in the virtual machine which didn't accept the CD key.
It should have been easy to install on a partition without a key because there is no reason for one. It should be very easy because it is a service we the techie people would be doing for microsoft. It isn't microsoft doing something for us unless they give us a free copy of the full OS. We test the thing and learn it early so we can catch the bugs and help other people learn it and fix issues that come up.
Microsoft attitude towards customers and techies has to change.
Nairda
I would go through the trouble of creating an 8.1 container just so I can selectively delete system files and .DLLs and watch it struggle. Perhaps introduce a virus or two. Maybe assign a few scream sounds for system faults and exception alarms. Too bad a blue screen can't be given a tune. Yes, obviously a fan of Windows 8..
VMware with multiple concurrent Windows 7 64 Ultra and XP SP3 containers. The only way to fly !
TallBloke
You forgot to mention that Win 8 and 8.1 will only work in VBox if your processor has hardware virtualisation. VMware Player does do software virtualisation but it's relatively slow. TB
Lewis M. Dickens III
Bill gates may have nailed it years ago in saying that he envied Steve Job's taste.
And Steve may have nailed it in implying that Jim can't handle it perhaps detecting a visual cortex problem.
Boy, are the colors ever ghastly!
Krishna Parmar
Thanks for this really nice post, I really liked this tutorial!