How-To

How To Install Windows 8 Consumer Preview

By Brian Burgess

Updated March 30, 2024

There’s a lot of excitement in the air in the tech community this week. Apple just dropped news on the iPad 3, and today Microsoft announced the public release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Now, groovyPost is the best How To gallery site on the internet — how could I not hook you up and give you the step-by-step on how to clean install Windows 8 on the day of release?

Now, before you get started — take a look at our Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcut Guide. You will want to have that handy after you get the install completed. Ok ready for install?

First, download the 32 or 64-bit version of Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO file. Then, burn it to a blank DVD with Windows 7 Disc Image Burner or use a third-party tool like ISO Recorder for Vista and XP. If you’re installing it on a laptop or netbook, create a bootable USB flash drive.

As a best practice, I recommend installing a new operating system on a clean hard drive. If I have another OS or data stored on the drive, I blow it away using Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN). This way I’m assured each sector of the hard disk is clean and ready for a fresh install.

Now kick off the installation. First you’ll see a graphic of the popular beta fish Microsoft used for Windows 7.

Select your language, time and currency format and keyboard input method. Notice the new groovy Windows 8 logo!

Click Next.

Click Install Now.

Since I’m installing this via installation media I created – a USB flash drive, it’s asking for a Product Key. You can also install it via the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Setup. Setup will scan your PC to ensure it meets the requirements to run the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. It provides a compatibility report and selects the optimized version for your system. It includes a built-in download manager too. The Consumer Setup Program automates the install process and does the work for you. We’ll be looking at installing it that way in the next few days.

This beta version is free for everyone so type: NF32V-Q9P3W-7DR7Y-JGWRW-JFCK8 then click Next.

The License Terms screen comes up. I read over the EULA and no… you won’t need to send Microsoft a kidney by accepting the license. Now if this was an OS from Facebook…

Anyway… Check I Accept the License Terms then click Next.

On the next screen select Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced).

Select the hard disk you’re installing Windows 8 on. In this example I’m installing it on a netbook via a USB flash drive. I blew away the drive with DBAN, so there is no reason to use any of the drive options. Click Next.

The Windows 8 starts to install. The screen looks the same as Vista and Windows 7. It will expand the files from the ISO image to the hard drive, install features, updates and a few extra steps. The amount of time it takes will vary between systems and the power of the hardware.

At this point there is no user interaction needed. Just let Windows do its thing.

Remember it will restart a couple of times, don’t worry – that’s normal. Here’s an example of a few of the screen messages you’ll see.

After the final reboot, you’ll be at the Personalization screen. Type in a name for your computer, chose a background color by moving the slider at the top and click Next.

Now you’re on the Settings screen. You can select Use Express Settings or Customize. The fastest way to get going is to Use Express Settings. You’ll see what the Express Setting configure. Express opts you  in to automatic updates, sending Microsoft location info and more.

The Express settings can be changed later, but I like control over what my OS is doing so I’m clicking Customize.

Select if you want to turn on sharing and connect to other devices on your network. Or choose not to turn it on. If you’re on a public network it’s best to turn sharing off.

Now select if you want Windows Update to automatically download updates or let you choose later. There are also other options with Internet Explorer you might want to turn off. There can be conflicts with proprietary software services at the workplace that break with IE9 filters. When in doubt just go with the defaults. When finished click Next.

Next you’ll want to configure the settings for what information about your system is sent to Microsoft. They are all on by default if you Use Express Settings. Now you have more control over what data is sent. After making your selections click Next.

Select how you want apps to use your data. Turn off what you don’t want shared. For instance you might not want to let apps use your name and account picture.

Now you can sign in with your Windows Account (formerly called Windows Live account) or create a local login specific to your machine.

The benefit of using your Windows Account is you’re able to sync your settings across multiple machines that are running Windows 8.

I selected to sign in with my Microsoft Account. On the next screen you’ll need to enter you password.

The next screen asks for your phone number, but it’s optional. The benefit of entering your cell number is you can get a code sent to your phone to reset your password if you forget it.

Windows 8 finalizes your settings and gets your account ready. You automatically logged in with your Windows Account since you typed it in during the previous step.

Welcome to Windows 8 – First Steps after Install

Welcome to Windows 8 Consumer Preview! You’re greeted with the Metro UI. You’ll notice there are several different app tiles. Including the much-talked-about SkyDrive integration.

Now that you’re ready to start your Windows 8 journey, one of the first things you should do is check for Windows Updates. It took me some hunting to find them, but I finally did.

Hover your pointer over the lower right corner of the Metro UI screen. It pops up a transparent sidebar that contains what Microsoft calls “Charms” – which reminds me of the OS X Dock. Then click or Tap Settings.

There, you’ll find Power, Sound, Notifications, and more. Click More PC Settings.

Then you’re at the new Control Panel. Under PC Settings scroll down and tap or click Windows Update and click Check for Updates. It was surprising that there were already five important updates on the OS that came out the same day.

Typical Microsoft and rather humorous. Probably a few tweaks they didn’t have time to get into the build before the big announcement.

Click the Important Updates to be Installed link. Then you can see what they are. I went ahead and installed them.

Have fun exploring the new Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Things are laid out very differently than what you’re used to. I am getting better at it as I continue testing, but I am not sure if the Interface is laid out the best.

Virtualize Windows 8

During the Keynote at Mobile World Congress, Microsoft execs said it’s best to test the new OS on two or more physical computers. Being a tech writer and professional tech geek, I have multiple machines for testing. But not everyone has extra system to spare. And it’s definitely not recommended to install this beta version on your primary computer.

If you don’t have an extra physical machine to spare, install it on a virtual machine like VirtualBox. If you don’t have VirtualBox installed yet, check out this install walkthrough by Austin Krause.

For the correct VirtualBox settings, follow Steve’s guide on how to install Windows 8 Developer Preview on VirtualBox. You’ll use the same settings in his guide to set up your VM for Windows 8 Customer Preview.

By the way, make sure to check out the Windows 8 Apps Store. During the Customer Preview cycle – All apps are free!