"Potential rules" required for installing Win8 consumer Preview"

You can install Consumer Preview in three ways ):

1. Run the Windows 8 consumer preview installation program on the computer where you want to install the preview version. (The installer will check whether your computer runs a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows and provide you with the correct download .)

2. Run the Windows 8 consumer preview installer and use built-in tools to convert an ISO image to an installation media (such as a DVD or USB bootable flash drive) (Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows Developer Preview is required ). Then, you can use this media to install the preview version on another partition, virtual machine, or computer.

3. If you do not want to use the Windows 8 consumer preview installer, you can download the ISO image and use this file to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive for installing the Windows 8 consumer preview.

Win8 installation knowledge

　　Do I need a product key to install Windows 8 consumer preview?

If you use the Windows 8 previewed installer, you do not need to enter the product key. The installer automatically provides the product key. If you make an installation media, use this media to start your computer, and then install Windows 8 consumer preview, you need to enter the following product key: NF32V-Q9P3W-7DR7Y-JGWRW-JFCK8.

In addition to the installation method, you may worry about whether your devices and programs are compatible with the Windows 8 consumer preview version? This can be relaxed. Microsoft said that the Windows 8 consumer preview version should be compatible with the same devices and programs applicable to Windows 7.

In some cases, you may need to update the device or program, or uninstall some programs, and then reinstall these programs after installing Windows 8 consumer preview. Windows 8 previewed installer will scan your computer to identify compatible devices and programs and provide a report that can be saved or printed. Make sure that your device is connected to your computer and enabled before running the installation program. If you need compatibility information for a specific device or program, you can access the compatibility center of Windows 8 consumer preview.

　　Windows 8 consumer preview cannot be uninstalled. To return to a previous version of Windows, you need to reinstall it.