The name is purely for identification purposes, so you know exactly what the machine is later on. You'll be asked to name your virtual machine. Start by clicking New in VirtualBox and click Next on the first prompt. Configuring a basic virtual machine is a lot easier than it might seem if you've never done it. Honestly, by the time you're done, you'll probably wonder why you even consulted a walkthrough. We hope to demystify the process with a guide that installs a fully functional, commitment-free copy of Windows 8 inside your main OS. This write-up won't have much to offer folks experienced with virtual machines, but many users are still intimidated by them. What's more, the test OS can be deleted in only a few mouse clicks. The same could be said for using the OS on a secondary PC near your primary rig.įortunately, running Windows 8 in a virtual machine solves all that: it won't remove your current OS, you can access it anytime you want without rebooting and it doesn't require any extra hardware. Overwriting your current stable OS with pre-release code could be a recipe for disaster, though at least one TechSpot staffer is taking the plunge.ĭual booting is popular, but in our experience, rebooting into a separate environment is more trouble than it's worth when you're just trying to sample beta (err, 'preview') software. Although you may have already downloaded the ISO, we bet some of you haven't decided how you're going to install it.Ĭonsidering you've just met, we assume most of you aren't ready to clear a dresser drawer for Windows 8. With the launch of Windows 8's Consumer Preview, you're probably itching to spend some quality time with Microsoft's latest operating system.

How to use virtualbox on windows 8