How to Install Windows 8 as a Virtual Machine

You can download and install Windows 8 on your primary Windows computer but without disturbing any of existing apps or settings - just configure WIndows 7 as a Virtual Machine.

 

If you wish to try Windows 8 on your existing Windows computer but without disturbing any of existing apps or settings, you have two easy options.
You can either install Windows 8 as a virtual machine or you can install Windows 8 on a different partition and use it alongside your existing copy of Windows. The former option is risk-free and you can can launch Windows 8 on your computer just like you would use any other Windows software.
Here’s a step-by-step guide that explains how you can install Windows 8 as a virtual machine. Don’t let these steps intimidate you as installing Windows 8 inside a VM is an extremely easy process and should not take more than 20-30 minutes to complete.
Step 1: Download the ISO image of Windows 8 from windows.microsoft.com. These Windows 8 .iso files are bulky (around 3 GB in size) so it may be a good idea to use a download manager.
Step 2: Download and install the Virtual Box program for Windows available at oracle.com. If you have been using an older version of Virtual Box, please upgrade to the latest version of VM VirtualBox as it includes support for Windows 8.
Step 3: Launch the Oracle VM Virtual Box program from the Windows Programs Menu and click the "New" button to create a new Windows 8 Virtual Machine.
Step 5: Next give your virtual machine a name (like Windows 8). Set the Operating System as Windows and pick Windows 8 for the Version. Click Next.

Step 6: Next you need to allocate some amount of RAM to your new Windows 8 VM. The minimum that you should allocate is 1024 MB (or 1 GB) though you can always move that slider further right to 2 GB for improved performance.
Step 7: Next create a virtual hard disk where you’ll install Windows 8. If you just want to try Windows 8 and don’t plan to install any additional apps, the recommended size is 20 GB – we’ll specify the exact size later.

Step 8: Oracle VirtualBox will now create your virtual disk but before it happens, set the file type for the disk as VDI or VirtualBox Disk Image.

Step 9: The virtual hard disk should be allotted a "fixed size" because that is likely to offer the best performance.

Step 10: Now is the time to specify the exact size of your virtual hard disk that will store Windows 8. Set this to 20 GB. You also need to define a location on your hard drive that will store the virtual machine – this is optional but if you don’t want to have a 20 GB file in your My Documents folder, you can click that folder icon to change the storage location of the virtual disk.

Step 11: All set. Create the new hard disk for Windows 8.

Step 12: Time to grab a cup of coffee. Since VirtualBox will create a physical file now, it might take 3-4 minutes to finish the process.

Step 13: Welcome back. Your Windows 8 virtual hard disk is now ready but before you can use it, you need to make a few modifications. While you are inside the VirtualBox Manager windows, select the Windows 8 VM and press Ctrl + S to open the settings window.

Step 14: Go to System –> Motherboard and Enable IO APIC. If you are curious to know the technical details behind the various settings of VirtualBox, check the manual.

Step 15: Go to System –> Processor and tick the checkbox against Enable PAE/NX.

Step 16: Go to Display –> Video and tick the checkbox against Enable 2D Video Acceleration.

Step 16: Click OK to save all the settings and double-click the Virtual Machine labeled Windows 8 to launch the program. You’ll be required to pick the Installation Media and here you need to specify the location of the ISO file that you downloaded in the first step.

Step 17: This is final step. Hit the Next button and this will initiate the Windows 8 setup routine. You can put DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J when prompted for the Windows 8 serial number. It should take about 20-30 minutes to complete the installation process.

Here’s a quick video screencast that captures the actual installation of Windows 8 inside a Virtual Machine.
Trivia: Do you know that you can use Virtual Machines, like the one created above, to run another instance of Windows 8 inside an existing Windows 8 machine.