Installing Windows 8 Developer Preview in VirtualBox

Yesterday, I took you through how to prepare VirtualBox for your installation of the Windows 8 Developer Preview so today will look at the actual installation process.

To kick things off, you need to configure the Windows installation image as a bootable disc in the VM. In order to do so, you need to click on “Settings” in the VirtualBox Manager and then go into the “Storage” tab.

Windows Install - Step 0 (Configure Installation Disc)

You need to click on the optical drive (whichever entry is listed with the round disc icon) and then click on the disc icon to the right of “IDE Secondary Master” and select “Choose a Virtual CD/DVD file…” and select the corresponding image. Once done, click “OK”.

Once done, you can fire up the VM by click on the “Start” button. Pretty much as soon as the VM is on you’ll need to hit F12 on your keyboard to select a boot device. We want the CD-ROM drive so hit “c” on the keyboard to kick off the process.

Windows Install - Step 01 (Personalise)

First screen is fairly simple requiring a name for your computer – punch one in and click “Next”.

Windows Install - Step 02 (Settings)

Next up, you can configure the settings of the Windows installation. You can click “Use express settings” if you are happy with defaults but I’ll take you through the other screens. Click on “Customise” to continue.

Windows Install - Step 03 (Settings - Customised 1)

The next screen looks at the various automatic update and security settings for Windows. Generally, I’d recommend everything to be left on unless you have a good reason to turn it off. Click “Next” to continue.

Windows Install - Step 03 (Settings - Customised 2)

The following screen covers the various feedback channels back to Microsoft to help improve the user experience. Some people like to turn it all off for privacy reasons but otherwise you can leave it all enabled and click “Next”.

Windows Install - Step 03 (Settings - Customised 3)

This last settings screen covers minor updates that will correct application and website quirks under the new operating system. Leave them enabled and click “Next”.

Windows Install - Step 04 (Logon)

The next screen covers your login credentials for your user account. Once you have filled those in click “Next” (not shown in this screenshot but it will show up when you fill in all the fields).

Windows Install - Step 05 (Preparing Your PC)

The installation process will then finalise itself which will take a little while but not too long.

Windows Install - Step 06 (Windows 8 Start Screen)

Once fully installed and configured you should be presented with the new touch-friendly start screen!

Hopefully that wasn’t too difficult and you can now have a play with Microsoft’s latest Windows offering.