The next Windows that is due soon is called the Windows 8. Microsoft has already released a Windows 8 Beta Consumer Preview version on the 29th Feb 2012 for users out there to test it out. In this guide, I will show you how to install Windows 8 Beta inside of Virtualbox. First of all you will need to download and install Virtualbox. There are 5 language versions to choose from. It comes with a product key attached.  This version will expire on the 16th Jan 2013

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Create a new virtual machine

 

 

1 Click on the “New” icon to create a new setup, key in a new name in the description. Choose Windows 8 as the operating system. If you do not see that as an option, download the latest Virtualbox. The default 1024 meg rams will suffice. Create a new “fixed sized” “VDI” image. Avoid using a Dynamic space because the Windows 8 is new and may not be stable. You can click next all the way until it starts creating a new hard disk.

Setup the virtual machine

 

Before you attempt to install Windows 8 beta, you will need to set some of the settings.

 

1. Display, increase the video memory to at least 128 meg

2. Audio, Windows Direct Sound, ICH AC97

3. Network , NAT, Intel PRO/1000MT Desktop.

 

 

2. Install Windows 8 beta

 

You can easily mount the downloaded Windows 8 beta.iso file without having to use any disk. Click on the “Settings” => Storage => “Select the CD Drive” then click on the “CD icon” to choose the downloaded image. Once you have mounted the image, you can proceed to start the virtual machine.

 

 

The installation is straight forward just like how you will do the installation of any Windows OS. The installation should kick off automatically as long as the Windows 8.iso file is mounted correctly.

3. Differences in the Windows 8 operating system

1. There is no more start menu, everything will be in the form of Metro Apps

2. Safe mode is gone but hitting F8 during boot up wil still get you a menu

3. There is the IE App and the IE program.

4. Hit the “Windows Key” to jump between the “Desktop” and the “Metro Apps” Desktop

 

 

Metro Apps

 

 

If you are unable to use the Metro Apps, go to the Windows desktop, right click on any empty space on the desktop and select personalize. Select “Display” option followed by “Change display settings”. Adjust the resolution to “1024 x 768”. Try using the apps and it should work now.

 

Install display drivers for Virtualbox Windows 8 Beta Consumer Preview

 

For many who have tried to install the video drivers using the Virtualbox add-ons option will know that it will fail with errors. However, It is possible to install video drivers to speed up the Windows 8 interface in Virtualbox a wee bit and allow you to use Areo desktop display.

 

You will need to click on the “Devices” option of the Virtualbox software when the Windows 8 is running, followed by clicking on “Install Guest Additions” Now press the Windows Key and get to the “Desktop” of Windows 8. Press and hold the “Windows Key + R” and type cmd. Key in the following commands.

 

 

D:\VBoxWindowsAdditions-x86.exe /extract /D=C:\Drivers

 

 

 

Start the Windows Explorer and use the URL navigator address bar to get to the Control Panel. Search for “Device Manager”. If you have downloaded the latest updates, you will see a device called the “Base System Device”.

 

 

Right click on it and update the drivers. Browse for the drivers manually and navigate to the C:\Drivers\x86 folder where you have just extracted a bunch of files from the Virtualbox-addons disc. It should be able to locate the driver and install it.

 

 

Reboot the Windows 8 once and now you will need to install another driver. Navigate back to the “Device manager” and this time round, right click right at the top most entry which is the name of this machine. Choose “Add legacy hardware”. Select “Choose manual selection” and you will come to a list of hardware to choose from. Select “Display Adapter”, “Oracle” followed by “Have Disk”. Navigate the installer path to C:\drivers\x96\vboxvideo

 

 

Reboot after installing the video adapter and you will experience some additional smoothness in the whole operating system in general. You will be able to use the Areo desktops from now on. Games will still be laggy but at least it is something.