How to dual-boot Windows 8 and Windows 7 - gillmandifuld

Windows 8 is coming.

Although you may not be jumping for joy at this fact, I'll wager you're at least a little curious. Could the new OS make your computing life whatever improved? Is the new interface a boon, or more of a boondoggle?

Fortunately, you don't have to sacrifice your current PC to find outgoing — nor do you possess to buy a inexperienced one. You sack install the Windows 8 Bring out Preview alongside Windows 7 and look at IT for a full test-ride. It's simply a matter of setting finished a dual-flush constellation.

Before you go one abuse further, make sure you have a complete accompaniment of your Winchester drive, just in pillowcase things miscarry. This is a beautiful safe operation, but you never know.

1. Zone

The first mistreat is to make a partition on your awkward drive, a chunk of space that's undemonstrative exclusively for Windows 8. You'll motivation at least 16GB, or 20GB if you'ray loading Windows 8 64-bit, but I recommend giving the OS plenty of breathing elbow room: at least 30-40GB.

PC Global has covered this process more times earlier, so kind of than repeat it Hera, I'll direct you to Patrick Miller's "How (and Why) to Partition Your Hard Tug."

2. Get Windows 8

Next, you'll need to download the Windows 8 Release Preview. It's available in 32-chip (x86) and 64-fleck (x64) flavors. Just about modern PCs give notice run the last mentioned precisely fine, so that's what I advocate unless your system is more than 3-4 years old. Whatever its age, be sure to check Microsoft system's requirements. As wel, make note of the product key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF.

Away furthermost the easiest way to establis Windows 8 on that new partition is via a USB flash drive. I delineate this process last year in "How to Put Windows 8 on a Wink Drive," so those instructions should get you squared away.

3. Put in Windows 8

Once you've loaded the Windows 8 ISO on your flash drive drive, boot to it thrust. (If your system bypasses the drive and boots straight into Windows 7, you may have to Doctor of Osteopathy some tinkering in the system BIOS. Non every Microcomputer will charge from a flash drive by default.)

This is the only in truth critical contribution of the process. Later on accepting the installer's package license, be sure to select Custom, non Elevate. Next you'll see a list of available partitions; click Drive options (advanced), then select the unallocated space you created earlier.

Now, click New-sprung from the drive options icons. By default, information technology should display the round number of the elect partition, in which case go ahead and click Apply.

At length, click Incoming to begin the facility summons. This will make about 20 minutes, afterwards which your system bequeath boot Windows 8 and function you through the usual initial-setup shove. (You might sustain to remove your tawdry repel and then the installer doesn't try to run once more. It did on my system.)

From now on, when you boot your PC you'll see a commence-up menu that gives you a choice between Windows 7 and Windows 8 — and it'll proceed with booting the latter by nonpayment. If you want Windows 7 to remain the Adam-to operating system, click Change defaults or choose other options while this menu is panoptic, then click Choose the nonpayment operating organization. Easy-peasy.

And that's information technology! Keep in mind that this Release Preview will expire happening January 15, 2022, so you've got exactly three months to poke and prod. Have entertaining!

Contributing Editor program Rick Broida writes near business and consumer technology. Ask for help with your PC hassles at hasslefree@pcworld.com, or try the treasure trove of helpful folks in the Microcomputer World Community Forums. Sign on to hold the Hassle-Extricated PC newsletter e-armored to you each week.

Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/461647/how-to-dual-boot-windows-8-and-windows-7.html

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