Windows 8 installation procedures are slightly different from those implemented for Windows 8.1 which is an enhanced version of this operating system.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare to install Windows 8
Step 1. Get an older version of Windows 8
Windows 8.1, which is the only one available on the Microsoft website, is the most recent version of Windows 8. You can also find professional versions of Windows 8 on Amazon websites or at hardware retailers.
Skip this step if you already have a Windows 8 installation CD or DVD
Step 2. Make a backup of your files
Be sure to back up the files you want to keep because any files on your hard drive will be erased during system installation.
Step 3. Insert the installation DVD into your computer
It should be placed on the tray of your optical disc drive so that its label faces up.
If your computer does not have an optical disc drive installed, you will need to get one that can connect to your PC through a USB interface
Step 4. Restart your computer
Open the start menu
Windows, click the power off button
, then on the option To restart in the dialog that will appear. This will restart your computer.
Step 5. Prepare to press the BIOS access key very quickly
This will usually be one of the function keys on your keyboard, such as F2, the Esc escape key, or even del delete. You will need to press this key as soon as you see the black screen appear upon reboot.
- It is possible that when you start your computer, you will see very briefly at the bottom of your screen information about the key to press to access your computer's BIOS.
- You will be able to find out which key to press to access the BIOS by consulting your computer's manual or online documentation for it.
- If you see your normal computer startup screen, you will need to restart your computer to try to catch the intended BIOS access key within the allotted time.
Step 6. Find the management section of Boot Options
You will need to force your computer to boot from your optical disc drive first. On most computers, you will be able to use the arrow keys to navigate to a tab titled Advanced options Where Boot options in which you can manage the scanning order of the devices.
On some BIOS versions, you may find on the home page the section managing the scan order of bootable devices
Step 7. Select your optical disc drive
It should be titled CD disc, DVD disc, Optical disc or something similar. You will still have to use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move between the various options offered.
- If you are using an optical disc drive that has a USB interface, you will need to look for an identifier like Removable disks. To avoid confusion, make sure that no USB storage device other than your optical drive is connected to your computer.
Step 8. Give boot priority to your optical drive
With the identifier of your optical disc drive selected, you will need to move it to the top of the boot priority list by pressing the + key on your keyboard as many times as necessary for it to reach the top. from this list.
If that didn't work, look at the help information at the bottom or to the right of the displayed page to see which key you need to press to move the selected option as needed
Step 9. Save your changes and exit BIOS
If you are unsure of which key to use to do this, take a look at the key functions that are explained at the bottom or right of the page to find out with which to save your changes and exit BIOS. As soon as you exit BIOS, your computer will automatically boot to the disk you have given boot priority to.
Part 2 of 2: Install Windows 8
Step 1. Make the pre-installation settings
Set up a language, time zone, and keyboard layout. Some of the settings on this page may already be correct. If some of the information displayed does not correspond to your needs, click on the corresponding selection boxes and correct these parameters.
Step 2. Click Next
You will find this button in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 3. Click Install Now
This option is located in the central part of the displayed window.
Step 4. Enter your system validation key
This code, made up of 25 alphanumeric characters, is often found on the plastic case closing the DVD, on its cardboard outer packaging or on the system's user manual. Click on Following to continue.
If you purchased the Windows 8 DVD at the time of system release, you may have received a message in your Microsoft email account containing a copy of the system activation code
Step 5. Select the I accept the terms of the license check box
It is located in the lower part of the displayed window.
Step 6. Click Next
This button is located in the lower right corner of the window.
- It is also possible that the button you must click to go to the next one is titled Accept.
Step 7. Click Custom Windows Installation
This option is on the screen asking you What type of installation do you want to perform?
Step 8. Click Advanced Disk Options
You should see this link below the dialog displayed on the page. Now click on Following, in the lower right corner of the page.
Step 9. Erase the contents of the hard drive
In the dialogue titled Where do you want to install Windows?, select the disk on which you want to install the system and click on Wipe off at the bottom of this window and confirm your decision if prompted. Repeat this process for the other disks listed in the selection dialog, unless they are independent of the one where the system will be installed.
Step 10. Click Unallocated Space
This should be the only option offered in the dialog displayed at the top of the page.
Step 11. Click New
This option is found below the selection dialog at the bottom of the page.
Step 12. Click Apply then on Following.
These two buttons are at the bottom of the page. This will confirm the location of the new system and begin the installation process after formatting the drive.
Step 13. Wait for Windows 8 installation to finish
Your computer will restart several times during the installation process. When this is complete, you should see the Windows 8 login screen.