Install Windows 8 on Oracle VM VirtualBox - Step by step instructions

Posted Date: 29-Feb-2012	Category: Windows 8
Author: Tony John	Member Level: Diamond	Points: 100

I just finished installed Windows 8 Consumer Preview on Oracle VM VirtualBox. If you are looking for step by step instructions to install Windows 8 on a Oracle VM Virtual Box, read this article.

I was waiting for this day - Feb 29 to download and install Windows 8 Consumer preview. I have been using the VMWare Desktop for Windows 8 Developer Preview, but the trial version expired so I switched to Oracle VM VirtualBox.

I have used Oracle VM VirtualBox in the past as well. It is a very fast, reliable and easy to use Virtualization software and the latest version natively support Windows 8.

Prerequisites to Install Windows 8 CP on Oracle VM VirtualBox

To install Windows 8 consumer preview on Oracle VM VirtualBox, you need to download download Windows 8 consumer preview .iso image from Microsoft website.

Once you have the Windows 8 CP .ISO image, download and install Oracle VM VirtualBox.

Step by Step Instructions to create a Virtual machine in Oracle VM VirtualBox

Launch the Oracle VM VirtualBox. The first step to install Windows 8 CP is to create a new virtual machine. You can do it by clicking the "New" button in the toolbar or by selecting the "New" submenu under the "Machine" menu.

This will open a wizard and guide you through the process to create a new Virtual Machine.

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 1

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 1

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 2

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 3

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 4

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 5

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 6

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 7

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 8

VM VirtualBox Create Virtual Machine Step 9

Once you complete the steps to create a new virtual machine, you can start the new virtual machine and start the installation process.

To start the virtual machine, go to the Oracle VM VirtualBox and select the new virtual machine on the left panel. Now click on the "Start" button in the toolbar. This will launch the virtual machine you just created.

Start Virtual Machine

Wait a minute, did you mount the .ISO image with the virtual machine so that it can boot from it? If not, this is the best time for that.

When you start the virtual machine first time, it will guide you through a wizard and allow you to boot from a CD or .ISO file.

Start VirtualBox

In the below screen, you can choose to boot from the CD/DVD drive or optionally choose an .ISO image. If you haven't burnt a DVD from the downloaded .ISO image, then click on the folder icon on the right side of the below screen. It will open the file dialog and allow you to choose the .ISO image of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Start VirtualBox

Just click the "Start" button on the summary screen and you are ready to experience a new Windows 8.

First time start Virtual Machine

If you start the virtual machine without an ISO image to boot from, it will give a boot error.

First time start Virtual Machine

Start Windows 8 Consumer Preview Installation

I remember I struggled a bit to get Windows 8 developer preview installed on the virtual machines earlier. But Windows 8 CP installation was a smooth and fun experience. You can follow the default options in most screens of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview installation.

The only place you need to think is in the screen where you are prompted to enter your Windows Live email id. You have an alternate option to use a local account, but you will lose many cloud based advantages by choosing a local account.

See the screenshots of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview installation:

Windows 8 Setup

At the end, you will be presented with this beautiful Windows 8 Metro Start screen. Trust me, I love the Windows 8. It is going to change the way we use computers.

Windows 8 Welcome Screen

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Install Windows 8 on Oracle VM VirtualBox - Step by step instructions

Step by Step Instructions to create a Virtual machine in Oracle VM VirtualBox

Start Windows 8 Consumer Preview Installation

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