Tech Tip: Install Windows 8 Using a USB Drive, Dual-boot It

User Comments: 17

1. June 13, 2012 1:43 AM
   

   TS-56336 said:

   A convenient tip. I use Novicorp's Win-to-Flash when Windows 7 hit RC back in 2009. But here's the simplest yet. Good one, TechSpot.

   Reply
2. June 13, 2012 1:59 AM
   Guest said:

   I used EasyBCD after I installed 8 to add win7 to the boot menu

   Reply
3. June 13, 2012 6:26 AM
   Guest said:

   What isn't covered is the fact the if you want UEFI install then you have to format as FAT32. Remember Win8 will most likely require UEFI or at least there's talk of it. Most UEFI systems won't recognize an NTFS formatted thumb drive.

   Reply
4. June 13, 2012 8:20 AM
   Guest said:

   My System:

   Intel i5-3560K Quad Core @3.9GHz

   Sabertooth Z77

   EVGA GTX 690

   16GB 2133MHz RAM

   240GB SSD + 1TB HDD

   27" 2560x1440@120hz Catleap

   I am running Windows 7 x64, is there any actual advantage to "upgrading" to Windows 8?

   Reply
5. June 13, 2012 10:10 AM
   Guest said:

   Well, I did what it said, and after creating a new volume tried to perform a custom install on my newly created partition (host system is win 7 pro x64). So I rebooted, ran the setup and everything was going fine. I then pointed the install at my new partition and it said it was unable to install it there. Any takers as to why, it was formatted as a simple volume, 100gb, NTFS!?

   Reply
6. June 13, 2012 10:14 AM
   Guest said:

   I just mounted the ISO or extract it using winRAR. Formatted the usb and dragged all the files from the ISO to the USB and that's it.

   Reply
7. June 13, 2012 10:50 AM
   Guest said:

   Ahh, I realise the problem now. I already have 2 simple volumes active. My windows 7 partition, and that damn system reserved partition. Hence my new windows 8 partition will not allow the install. Can I delete the system reserved partition, if so how, and will this cause me any problems?

   Reply
8. June 13, 2012 10:56 AM
   Zeromus said:

   Ahh, I realise the problem now. I already have 2 simple volumes active. My windows 7 partition, and that damn system reserved partition. Hence my new windows 8 partition will not allow the install. Can I delete the system reserved partition, if so how, and will this cause me any problems?

   Sounds like you just have just two total, so just resize one of them and create a new partition for your 8.

   Reply
9. June 13, 2012 3:28 PM
   Guest said:

   You see the 1st partition was that crappy system reserved 100mb one. I deleted it, though the space was left unallocated and I am unable to retrieve it. It still nerfed my install, so I went balls deep and did a complete upgrade. Didn't lose anything, so that's a plus. So glad you can ditch the metro crap interface, miss my start menu, though trolling through windows explorer isn't so bad. Just like the windows 3.1 file manager days, lol.

   Reply
10. June 14, 2012 6:22 AM
    

    Marnomancer said:

    Whoa, Matt, an awesome idea!

    Reply
11. June 14, 2012 1:23 PM
    Guest said:

    Can you create a Windows 8 VM? I would think that would be easier than creating a dual-boot system and having to delete the Win 8 RC one.

    Reply
12. June 14, 2012 1:38 PM
    Guest said:

    I was the guest that posted my system specs. So I guess that was a no, there would be no advantage to upgrading to Windows 8?

    Reply
13. June 20, 2012 5:01 AM
    shaft80 said:

    just did it on an old hp compaq dc7100 with windows xp sp3 1 gb ram partitioned with easeus 20gb for windows 8 . dual boot . runs like a dream

    Reply
14. June 22, 2012 2:30 AM
    shaft80 said:

    I was the guest that posted my system specs. So I guess that was a no, there would be no advantage to upgrading to Windows 8?

    dude.. give it some time. its not necessarily an upgrade but microsofts answer to andoid, ios, tablets and touchscreens

    Reply
15. July 6, 2012 9:07 PM
    

    3DCGMODELER said:

    why does windows need at least 20 GIG of HD space.... thats just absurd....

    Reply
16. August 23, 2012 4:21 PM
    Guest said:

    And where exactly does it ask you to make a choice on what partition or drive you want to install?

    I followed the guide, but it never asked and just installed over my windows 7 installation.

    Reply
17. August 23, 2012 7:03 PM
    

    Rage_3K_Moiz, Sith Lord, said:

    Would this work with Boot Camp on a Macbook Pro?

    Reply

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