Windows 8 is Microsoft's latest operating system which is
completely redesigned. It moves away from the traditional interface to a
completely new interface known as Metro User Interface. The familiar start menu
is now gone. Icons and windows are replaced with live tiles and magazine styled
interface. Unlike any previous versions, Windows 8 and its variation RT works
across multiple architectures and has been optimized for touch screen. So it
will work on Intel based PCs or an ARM based tablet.
This step-by-step guide demonstrates how to install Microsoft Windows 8 Professional. You can follow this guide if you have Windows 8 basic edition or any other version as the steps are very similar.
The best way to install Windows 8 is to do a clean install.
Before you start the installation process I recommend that you check Windows 8
System Requirements to ensure that your hardware is supported by Windows 8. If
you don't have Windows 8 drivers for all your hardware, it is a good idea to
download all the drivers from the hardware manufacturers web site and save all
the necessary drivers on a CD/DVD or a USB drive before you start the
installation.
Windows 8 Professional DVD is bootable. In order to boot
from the DVD you need to set the boot sequence. Look for the boot sequence
under your BIOS setup and make sure that the first boot device is set to
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM.
Step 1 - Place Windows 8 DVD in your dvd-rom drive and start
your PC. Windows 8 will start to boot up and you will get the following screen
with a rotating progress bar.
Windows 7 pic1 - Click to enlarge
Step 2 - The next screen allows you to setup your language,
time and currency format, keyboard or input method. Choose your required
settings and click next to continue.
Windows 7 pic2 - Click to enlarge
Step 3 - The next screen allows you to install or repair
Windows 8. Since we are doing a clean install we will click on "install
now".
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Step 4 - The setup process starts as shown.
Windows 7 pic4 - Click to enlarge
Step 5 - At this stage you need to type your product key
that came with your copy of Windows 8. Click next once you have entered the
product key correctly.
Windows 7 pic5 - Click to enlarge
Step 6 - Read the license terms and tick I accept license
terms. Then click next to continue.
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Step 7 - Choose the type of installation you want. Since you
are doing a clean install you need to click on custom.
Windows 7 pic6 - Click to enlarge
Step 8 - Choose where you would like to install Windows 8.
If you have one hard drive you will get an option similar to the image below.
You can click next to continue then go to step 12.
If you have more than one drive or partition then you need
to select the appropriate drive and click next. At this stage you can go to
step 12.
If you want to partition a large drive then do not click
next. Go to step 9.
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Step 9 - If you want to partition an existing drive then
click new. Choose the size of the partition and click apply.
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Step 10 - Click OK to create the partition. Windows will
create additional system partition which you don't have to worry about.
Windows 7 pic6 - Click to enlarge
Step 19 - Help protect and update your PC. Choose your
preferred option and click next.
Windows 7 pic1 - Click to enlarge
Step 20 - Send Microsoft info to help make Windows and apps
better. Choose your preferred options or leave the default settings. Click next
to continue.
Windows 7 pic2 - Click to enlarge
Step 21 - Check online for solutions to problem. Choose your
preferred options or leave the default settings. Click next to continue.
Windows 7 pic3 - Click to enlarge
Step 22 - Sign in to your PC. Here you can login to your PC
using a Microsoft email account such as your hotmail account.
If you do not have a Microsoft account you can create one by
clicking Sign up for a new email address. Go to Step 23.
If you don't want to create an email account and prefer to
create a local user name, click Sign in without a Microsoft account. Go to step
24.
Windows 7 pic4 - Click to enlarge
Step 23 - Sign up for a new email address. If you want to
create a new email account you need to complete the form below.
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Step 24 - Click local account
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Step 25 - Here you can choose a local user name and
password. Choose finish to continue.
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Step 26 - At this stage Windows starts to finalize your
settings. You will get the following information screen as the installation
moves forward.
Windows 7 pic6 - Click to enlarge
Windows 7 pic6 - Click to enlarge
Windows 7 pic6 - Click to enlarge
Step 27 - As Windows 8 setup progresses you are given a
presentation of the new interface. Its shows you how swiping the edge of the
screen brings up the Charm bar. Using the Charm bar you can do a search or
change your settings. It also demonstrates how you can hover your mouse on the
bottom or top left corner to access the switch list. This list shows all open
applications and allows you to switch between them.
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Windows 7 pic2 - Click to enlarge
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Step 28 - Soon as the demonstration finishes windows moves
into the final stages of the setup.
Windows 7 pic5 - Click to enlarge
Windows 7 pic6 - Click to enlarge
Step 29 - Finally the setup process is finished and you are
presented with a completely new and unfamiliar Metro user interface. You have
your most common application right in front of you. Clicking on any tiles will
launch that application. At this point you can start using your computer.
However, it may not be fully configured. You need to make sure that all the
hardware is detected correctly and the necessary device drivers are installed.
This can be done from the device manager.
Windows 7 pic6 - Click to enlarge
Step 30 - To go to device manager click search on charm bar
on the right. Then type devmgmt.msc. Click on the devmgmt icon on the left.
Windows 7 pic6 - Click to enlarge
Step 31 - You will see all your hardware listed as shown on
the image below. You need to check if you have any yellow exclamation marks
next to the name of the devices, similar to "Base System Device" on
the image below. This indicates that the driver has not been installed for this
device.
At this stage you can install the driver for this device. To
do so, Right Mouse click on Base System Device -> Update Driver Software...
Windows 7 pic6 - Click to enlarge
Step 32 - You can choose to "Search automatically for
updated driver software" or "Browse my computer for driver
software". If you have the driver CD or if the driver is on a USB drive
then choose "browse my computer for driver software". Window 8 will
search and install the driver from the CD or you can locate the driver
manually.
Once you have removed all the yellow exclamation marks from
the device manager your Windows 8 configuration would be fully complete.
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