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Thanks Greg, your article is a great straight forward way to evaluate Windows 8 without having to spend $$ on new hardware. Nicely Done!
The VHD gives you the benefit of using your real hardware instead of virtual hardware.
The only problem I noticed using a VHD was that I couldn't upgrade from W8CP to W8RP (I had to create a new VHD).
The only problem I noticed using a VHD was that I couldn't upgrade from W8CP to W8RP (I had to create a new VHD).
Hi greg..
really useful article - I teach students to install multiple operating systems and this will help enormously.
Did you miss out a step? I've not used VHD - but you create a drive which is unnamed
and then in the admin command window you refer to a VHD file named "Windows8RP.vhd"
Thanks again
Peter
really useful article - I teach students to install multiple operating systems and this will help enormously.
Did you miss out a step? I've not used VHD - but you create a drive which is unnamed
and then in the admin command window you refer to a VHD file named "Windows8RP.vhd"
Thanks again
Peter
Thanks, glad to hear that you liked the article, but there is not a missing step.
It is important not to confuse the drive and the file.
In the steps and in Figure E, I show you how to create a VHD file named Windows8RP.vhd. When you get to Figure G, you can see that the drive is unnamed. While the file contains the drive, the drive doesn't automatically inherit the file's name.
When we get to the Administrator Command Prompt shown in Figure K, we Attach the file which essentially brings the drive to life, but the drive, or more preceisely volume, itself is still unnamed.
Once Windows 8 is up and running, you can assign a name to the drive if you wish.
It is important not to confuse the drive and the file.
In the steps and in Figure E, I show you how to create a VHD file named Windows8RP.vhd. When you get to Figure G, you can see that the drive is unnamed. While the file contains the drive, the drive doesn't automatically inherit the file's name.
When we get to the Administrator Command Prompt shown in Figure K, we Attach the file which essentially brings the drive to life, but the drive, or more preceisely volume, itself is still unnamed.
Once Windows 8 is up and running, you can assign a name to the drive if you wish.
Sorry - you're right
that will teach me to read the text and not just look at the pictures!
that will teach me to read the text and not just look at the pictures!
Greg, my thanks as well for a really useful tutorial. I already have a dual-boot system with Win7 and Ubuntu 12.04. I'm running Win8 in a VirtualBox environment in order to test it out. Could I use the process you have described above to install Win8 rather running it in a virtual environment? Would the startup screen then give me the option of Win8, Win7 and Ubuntu?
...how things will turn out in a configuration such as the one you are proposing. There are a lot of variables in your situation that are unknown to me that could have a big impact on how things work.
However, a quick investigation on Google seem to indicates that there are numourous ways to triple-boot Windows7/Windows8/Ubuntu... I would suggest that you use Google and research your options.
Glad to hear you liked the article. Thanks
However, a quick investigation on Google seem to indicates that there are numourous ways to triple-boot Windows7/Windows8/Ubuntu... I would suggest that you use Google and research your options.
Glad to hear you liked the article. Thanks
I've installed the following operating systems on my PC:
- Ubuntu 10.04 64 bit
- XP SP3
- W7 Ultimate 64 bit
- W8DP to W8Ent (64 bit VHDs)
I haven't had any problems (except the no upgrade option for W8).
I used a different install procedure though.
http://www.pitorque.de/MisterGoodcat/post/Installing-Windows-8-Developer-Preview-as-bootable-VHD.aspx
- Ubuntu 10.04 64 bit
- XP SP3
- W7 Ultimate 64 bit
- W8DP to W8Ent (64 bit VHDs)
I haven't had any problems (except the no upgrade option for W8).
I used a different install procedure though.
http://www.pitorque.de/MisterGoodcat/post/Installing-Windows-8-Developer-Preview-as-bootable-VHD.aspx
"Would the startup screen then give me the option of Win8, Win7 and Ubuntu?"
On my PC:
- I get a GRUB menu with Windows and Ubuntu options.
- If I choose Windows, I get a Windows menu listing my Windows operating systems.
On my PC:
- I get a GRUB menu with Windows and Ubuntu options.
- If I choose Windows, I get a Windows menu listing my Windows operating systems.
Its probably easier than using a real dvd, but not having to install oracle virtualbox would be good
OK, this worked fine for me when I first saw it, now how do I remove the Win 8 installation?
...is easy.
Boot to Windows 7, delete the Windows 8 VHD file, and then alter the boot menu. To do so, run System Configuration via "msconfig.exe" as an Administrator, access the Boot tab and delete the Windows 8 option.
Boot to Windows 7, delete the Windows 8 VHD file, and then alter the boot menu. To do so, run System Configuration via "msconfig.exe" as an Administrator, access the Boot tab and delete the Windows 8 option.
- could you explain what is the benefit of using the VHD method over the direct installation on separate partition method when installing Win8? Thanks.
...of using a VHD is that it is easy.
You simply create a file rather than a repartitioning your hard disk.
When you are done with it, you just delete the file, no repartitioning.
Of course, repartitioning your hard disk in Windows 7 is a lot easier than it used to be, thanks to the new features in Disk Manager. However, it is a bit more time-consuming.
So really, choosing a VHD over a partition boils down to whether or not it is available in your version of Windows 7 and what you feel more comfortable with.
(Booting from a VHD is only available in Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise)
You simply create a file rather than a repartitioning your hard disk.
When you are done with it, you just delete the file, no repartitioning.
Of course, repartitioning your hard disk in Windows 7 is a lot easier than it used to be, thanks to the new features in Disk Manager. However, it is a bit more time-consuming.
So really, choosing a VHD over a partition boils down to whether or not it is available in your version of Windows 7 and what you feel more comfortable with.
(Booting from a VHD is only available in Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise)
my win8 installation screens are very much different. Mine didn't have the language selection. It first prompt for what data I want to keep: data+apps; data or nothing. Then it did some scanning and after a few screen it said Ready to Install, without asking me which partition to target at. I didn't proceed further afraid of overwriting my win7 installation. Why was it so? anybody has the same experience?
Senderj...you have to reboot and boot off the DVD of Windows 8 and then start the installation. You (I did the same thing initially) are trying to do the install from inside Windows 7.
Just a question...
If I need to revert back to win7 after configuring the above. Do I just need to remove the VHD file or I have to restore from backup via system restore) ?
If I need to revert back to win7 after configuring the above. Do I just need to remove the VHD file or I have to restore from backup via system restore) ?
...the answer is yes, you just delete the VHD and then remove the boot menu. (no need for a system restore) Stay tuned for this week's article in which I walk you step-by-step through the entire procedure.
I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but no matter how I do the vhd in W7, when I reboot into W8 RP and go to diskpart and try to select the vhd I just made, it is not found. I have made the vhd as per the directions above exactly, and also initializing the vhd, etc. What am I doing wrong? I'm using a DVD of W8 RP 32 bit that I have successfully loaded onto this exact same laptop on a different hard drive. I have enabled virtualization in the BIOS and disabled it, all with the same results:
dispart has encountered an error....virtual disk not found.
Laptop is a Dell Vostro 1700 that has run W8 RP quite well.
Any ideas?
dispart has encountered an error....virtual disk not found.
Laptop is a Dell Vostro 1700 that has run W8 RP quite well.
Any ideas?
Found the problem. Once I was in the command prompt, but before I did the diskpart, I did a dir c: and found out that there was no folders there!
Did a dir d: and found my hard drive folders there. Once I did the diskpart in d, I was able to attach my vhd and install W8 with no problem.
Hope this helps someone else.
Did a dir d: and found my hard drive folders there. Once I did the diskpart in d, I was able to attach my vhd and install W8 with no problem.
Hope this helps someone else.
I never got any further than install now as it immediately said I had a media driver missing and to put in a cd/dvd with the driver on. It didn't tell me what was missing (typical microsoft) other than a DVD, USB or HDD.
Couldn't get past it, anyone any ideas.
Couldn't get past it, anyone any ideas.
...devices connected to your system? Thumbdrive? External hard drive? Scanner? If so, try disconnecting/removing them before the install.
No connected devices, I have read it's pretty flaky so don't think i'll bother anyway. Pity Microsoft don't try getting it right before they preview it.
I actually sugest doing this without any native system installed...
Keeping in mind that windows doesnt install to a micro sdcard, i did it by booting hiron's boot windows 7 mode on it... allocating a VHD to Micro SD card keeping the first disk clean to instal ubuntu and android x86 with native ethernet card build to kernell. Grub does the fisrt boot loading.
Keeping in mind that windows doesnt install to a micro sdcard, i did it by booting hiron's boot windows 7 mode on it... allocating a VHD to Micro SD card keeping the first disk clean to instal ubuntu and android x86 with native ethernet card build to kernell. Grub does the fisrt boot loading.
Is it possible to go for dual boot using VHD on a OEM SLP windows 7 home premium? Will it impact my winodow 7 activation? I read the activation for OEM:SLP OS is based on the motherboard and bios.
I already upgraded to Win 8 Pro and decided to try this dual boot with Win 7 on the VHD. I followed all the directions, and it works almost perfectly, except for one little nagging detail: the boot screen doesn't look as nice as the Win 8 styled one. I only get the plain boring white-on-black text. Is this because my Win 8 partition is #4 of a Boot Camp system (iMac)? The BC setup means my HD is GUID partitioned and using EFI (not the usual MBR/BIOS). I'm curious how I can return to that slick OS selection screen, but it's definitely not a dealbreaker for being able to dual boot on a single partition!
...the Windows 7 boot manager screen. Since you installed Windows 7 as a dual-boot after you had Windows 8 installed, Windows 7's boot manager is in control of the process.
When you install Windows 8 as a dual-boot on a Windows 7 machine, Windows 8's boot manager is in control of the process. Windows 8's boot manager has a color and better looking graphics as opposed to the basic black and white of Windows 7's boot manager.
Now, in the case of a "Windows 8 dual-boot on a Windows 7 machine" I know that if you choose to make Windows 7 the default operating system, the boot manager changes and the boot manager screen goes to black and white.
A similar change could ocurr in the case of a "Windows 7 dual-boot on a Windows 8 machine". I haven't tried this scenario, so can't say for sure. Try changing the default operating system to Windows 8 and see what happens.
When you install Windows 8 as a dual-boot on a Windows 7 machine, Windows 8's boot manager is in control of the process. Windows 8's boot manager has a color and better looking graphics as opposed to the basic black and white of Windows 7's boot manager.
Now, in the case of a "Windows 8 dual-boot on a Windows 7 machine" I know that if you choose to make Windows 7 the default operating system, the boot manager changes and the boot manager screen goes to black and white.
A similar change could ocurr in the case of a "Windows 7 dual-boot on a Windows 8 machine". I haven't tried this scenario, so can't say for sure. Try changing the default operating system to Windows 8 and see what happens.
Selecting Win 8 as the default It doesn't seem to change it back to the Win 8 boot menu. Is there a way to recreate the snazzier boot manager, rebuild the bcd, or anything else to get it back?
...what I expected. Since you installed Windows 7 as a dual-boot after you had Windows 8 installed, Windows 7's boot manager is in control of the process and there is really nothing that you can do to change the way that it looks.
What you are saying is that I am out of luck because of win 7 being the lesser version? Or that if I install a bogus Win 8 VHD (maybe the eval version) it would overwrite the bootmgr with a new tiles-ui one because it was the last installation? Interesting experiment...
...that would work either. If you really, really want Windows 8's boot manager, I would say that you have to wipe the hard disk, install Windows 7, and then install Windows 8 as a dual-boot so that Windows 8's boot manager is in control of the process
Not sure that would be worth it though... after all you only see the boot screen for a few moments before you load an operating system.
Not sure that would be worth it though... after all you only see the boot screen for a few moments before you load an operating system.
Dear Greg Shultz,
Thanks for your feature. I'm unable to install Windows 8 on my hard drive even following all this VHD Procedure... Window Installation starts but when it reaches to 90% its shows error:
"Windows could not update the Computer's boot configuration. Install cannot proceed".
I've 250GB hard drive. c: for Windows 7, d: for movies e: for windows 8 and g: for my professional and personal data. my e: is around 50GB. I dont want to disturb my other partitions...
Please help me how to install windows now...
Thanks for your feature. I'm unable to install Windows 8 on my hard drive even following all this VHD Procedure... Window Installation starts but when it reaches to 90% its shows error:
"Windows could not update the Computer's boot configuration. Install cannot proceed".
I've 250GB hard drive. c: for Windows 7, d: for movies e: for windows 8 and g: for my professional and personal data. my e: is around 50GB. I dont want to disturb my other partitions...
Please help me how to install windows now...
...why this error message would pop up. Might even have to do with the number of partitions that you already have on your drive. I suggest that you google the error message and see if you can find information that matches your situation.
I followed this tutorial and successfully dual boot Win7 and Win8 vhd. But yesterday I got a problem with my Win7 and not able to boot. I use the Win7 installation disk to repair and got back my Win7. But then I lost the Win8 boot option. Since the dual boot is created when installing Win 8 to vhd, I don't know how to recreate it. How can I put back the dual boot without reinstalling Win 8?
...and the boot configuration database remains intact, then you should be able to regain access to Windows 8 dual-boot. However, how you go about that is another matter and I'll have to investigate and see what I can find.
If you want to see what the Boot Configuration Data looks like, check out the article Remove Windows 8 from a dual-boot configuration
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/remove-windows-8-from-a-dual-boot-configuration/6571
If you decide to experiment, MAKE SURE that you BACK UP your important data before you do anything.
If you want to see what the Boot Configuration Data looks like, check out the article Remove Windows 8 from a dual-boot configuration
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/remove-windows-8-from-a-dual-boot-configuration/6571
If you decide to experiment, MAKE SURE that you BACK UP your important data before you do anything.
re. my previous post.
Still can get back the new bootmenu. But using the new version of EasyBCD I am able to add back Windows 8 option to the old Windows 7 boot menu. I have 2 questions hoping that somebody can help:
1. Now I don't find anything related to booting in the C: root. Is it possible to copy back the required files (for new bootloader) from the Windows 8 RP iso? Copy from where? to where? Or would they be in the WIndows 8 VHD?
2. When repairing my WIndows 7 with the 7's installation DVD, I recalled I saw a message saying that the bcd backup is stored somewhere. But I didn't copy it down. Did anybody know where would it store the backup?
Still can get back the new bootmenu. But using the new version of EasyBCD I am able to add back Windows 8 option to the old Windows 7 boot menu. I have 2 questions hoping that somebody can help:
1. Now I don't find anything related to booting in the C: root. Is it possible to copy back the required files (for new bootloader) from the Windows 8 RP iso? Copy from where? to where? Or would they be in the WIndows 8 VHD?
2. When repairing my WIndows 7 with the 7's installation DVD, I recalled I saw a message saying that the bcd backup is stored somewhere. But I didn't copy it down. Did anybody know where would it store the backup?
Why not just install Win8 in a virtual machine with Virtual PC or Virtualbox? Much less to go wrong.
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