Very recently, after Microsoft decided to roll out it’s Release Preview of Windows 8, my inbox was flooded with emails from my readers requesting assistance in setting up Windows 8 Release Preview on vmware player. So here’s how to tackle this situation.
VMware Player is famous program that allows you to create a virtual computer INSIDE your exisiting Operating System. Well, that means you can install Guest Operating System’s without having to remove your existing OS or creating a dual boot. The Guest OS will simply run like a program on your Current Operating System.
Step 2: Install VMware Player, Reboot your computer and Open it. Select “Create a New Virtual Machine”. A new window will pop up, then select “I will install the operating system later”. Click Next, then select Microsoft Windows as the guest operating System and in Version select Windows 7. Click Next, In Virtual Machine Name type: “Windows 8 Release Preview” and then click Next. Set Maximum Disk size to 30 GB, or more if you prefer installing programs on the new OS. and then Select “Store Virtual Disk as a Single File”. This is VERY IMPORTANT because otherwise Windows 8 will not read any Disk Location for installation. Click Next and then click Finish.
Step 3: Now you will see two slots on your VMware Player screen, Home and Windows 8 Release Preview. Single-Click Windows 8 Release Preview and click “Edit virtual machine settings”. A new window will pop up, go to CD/DVD (IDE) and under connection choose “Use ISO File”,then browse to the location where you’ve downloaded the Windows 8 Release Preview image(iso) file. Click OK.
STEP 4: Now click ‘Play Virtual Machine“, a new virtual machine will now boot up, WITHIN your computer. Within a couple of seconds you will see the Windows 8 Release Preview Installation begin. Now Proceed as you would on a normal computer installing a new Operating System. If you did not note down the Product Key while downloading, then no worries, here is the official one:
Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF
STEP 5:Once you have completed the installations, you will reboot into the new Windows 8 😀 CONGRATULATIONS, you can now run the Windows 8 inside your existing Operating System as you have successfully installed Windows 8 Release Preview on VMware Player.
Thank you very much, Windows 8 is running on my Pavilion G7 😀
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Excellent post, very detailed steps. Help much appreciated.
Thank you.