Windows 8 Consumer Preview has been out for a while. If you haven’t downloaded it yet you need to check it out as soon as possible. If you have a Mac, like I do and want to try out Windows 8, but don’t want to install it as a virtual machine, this guide will help you install Windows 8 CP in boot camp.
First some prerequisites. You will need a DVD of Windows 8, check out our guide on how to burn the Windows 8 image to a disk. You will also need a Mac. If you have a Macbook Air you can burn the image to a USB drive, follow our tutorial here.
Install Windows 8 CP in Boot Camp
From your Mac will need to open the Boot Camp assistant. You can open the application folder in the dock or go to the Go menu and elect Utilities.
Next form the Utilities Finder window click on Boot Camp Assistant
The Boot Camp Assistant window will open. Click Continue to proceed.
From the Boot Camp Tasks menu uncheck the box next to Download the latest Windows Support software from Apple. The reason is the drivers have not been updated to work with Windows 8 yet. These probably wont be ready until Windows 8 is in release candidate form our released to the public, which we should also get an update to Boot Camp to support the new OS. Click Continue to proceed.
For the partitioning you want to make sure you have enough space for the Windows image. I will use about 60 GB which is good enough for Windows 8. Make sure you have the Windows 8 DVD or USB in your machine. Click Install when you are ready.
The next set will take its time to partition your drive and also start the process to install Windows. Be patient this can take a while.
After a while you should see the Windows 8 start screen. Click Next to continue the process.
Up next is the actually install click Install to start the install process.
You will need to enter the Windows 8 product key, it is DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J. Click Next to continue.
Check the box next to the I accept the license terms then click Next to continue.
You will want to select Custom: install Windows only (advanced). We want to do this because we need to format the Boot Camp partition.
Make sure you are still on the Boot Camp drive. Click on Format.
You you need to click OK to continue with the format.
After the format is done, make sure you are still on the right partition. Click Next to continue with the install.
The install will take a couple of minutes, might bee a good time to go fetch a scone or some other type of snack.
You should be taken to the Personalize after everything is said and done. This is a good place to remove the DVD or USB. Give your PC a name and click Next to continue.
Go through the express setting here you will be asked for a user name, windows live ID, and password.
After you are all signed up, you will be at the new start menu.
That is it! If you haven’t used Windows 8 consumer preview yet, check out some of our how to guides.
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