Windows 8 platform (2) install Windows 8 on vhd

If you want to experience Windows 8 consumer Preview (Beta), you can use the following methods:

• Through Virtualization (hyper-V), the premise is that I must have installed Windows Server 2008
• Format the C drive and reinstall the system (the cost is huge)
• For dual-system installation, you have to create a new partition to install Win8.
• Start from vhd (virtual hard disk)

"Starting from vhd" is the best way for me to experience Windows 8 without affecting my partitions and having to transfer hard disk data. Next I will introduce how to install Windows 8 on vhd.

1. Preparations

First, we need to download the Windows 8 consumer preview ISO image, and then download and install the Windows 7 USB/DVR download tool. At the same time, we need to prepare a USB flash drive with a capacity greater than 10 Gb, I have a 16 GB USB flash drive. Then we need to format the USB flash drive.

2. Create a USB boot disk

Start the "Windows 7 usb dvd download tool" shortcut on the desktop. in step 1, Click Browse and select the downloaded Windows 8 ISO file.

In step 2, select USB device

Step 3,Insert the prepared USB flash driveClick "refresh" to select the device, and then click "Begin copying"

Wait till creation is complete

3. Create vhd

Note: Once you have installed bitlocker in your previous operating system, disable the bitlocker function. Otherwise, the installation will fail!

Windows desktop --> click "computer" --> right-click "manage" --> select "Storage" --> "disk management" right-click --> Create vhd. In location, set the local disk path of vhd. Virtual hard disk size. Input "60 GB" (Win8 requires at least 20 GB space), and select "dynamically expanding ". Click OK"

It may take 5 to 6 minutes to create a vhd instance.

4. Start from USB

After vhd is created, we need to restart the computer.Enter BIOS (DEL for desktops and F12 for laptops). At this timeYou cannot unplug the USB flash drive.Go to the boot menu and select USB-HDD. Save and exit the BIOS.

5. Mount vhd

After the BIOS settings are saved and exited,You cannot unplug the USB flash drive.Wait a moment and you will enter the Windows 8 Installation interface.You cannot select a local hard disk partition! Click SHIFT + F10 on the keyboard to bring up the command line. 

Enter diskpart in the command line and press Enter.

Enter select vdisk file = <your vhd path created earlier>, and press ENTER

Enter attach vdisk

For example:

 
Diskpart> select vdisk file =D: \ VMS \ win8.vhddiskpart> Attach vdisk
 

I took a photo for your reference:

6. Next, go back to the install Windows window (that is, select the disk installation Interface) and press refresh to refresh the disk list. Then, we will see the mounted vhd disk. For example, (Disk 5 partition 1 ):

Select "Next". A Prompt window is displayed. Ignore this. Press "OK" to continue the installation.

The subsequent installation steps are basically the same as those for Windows 7 installation,Note:

• During the installation process, enter the Windows 8 product serial number. Please refer to here
• OnceDuring the installation process, we need to restart the computer. Please immediately unplug the USB flash drive and no longer Plug it in !!!

6. Set the default Operating System

After the installation is complete, restart the computer. The system will let us select the operating system.

Click "Change defaults or choose other options" at the bottom"

You can set the default operating system or other content in change options.

 

Summary:

1. Download ISO

2. Install Windows 7 USB/DVD download Tool

3. Create vhd

4. Mount vhd

5. Restart and unplug the USB flash drive.