Windows 8 review

INSTALL GUIDE

Microsoft has worked hard to make its new OS the easiest to install yet, but it’s easy to get caught out unless you follow our step-by-step guide, below.

Getting Windows 8 installed on a computer is a mostly pain-free task, thanks to Microsoft’s excellent installation routine. There are a few things to watch out for, particularly if you’re using an Upgrade version of the software, which can replace an in-situ version of Windows 7 with Microsoft’s latest OS. Typically, we think it’s best to avoid such upgrades.

SOFTWARE AND DRIVERS

An operating system install is always better when it’s done fresh, as it gives you a good excuse to clear out the clutter on your old computer. Make sure that you back up all of your important files and applications before you start.

If you’ve got software that has to be de-registered, so you can install it on a new computer, such as Adobe Lightroom, make sure that you do this first. Thanks to modern browser-centric computing and cloud storage this is far less hassle than it used to be.

It’s worth downloading all of the drivers you need for your hardware from the manufacturer’s websites, saving them to a USB flash drive, just in case. Windows 7 drivers should work with Windows 8 if you can’t find the right version.

BOOT MEDIA

Once you’ve got everything you need, you may have one more job, as Windows 8 is the first version of Microsoft’s popular OS that has a download version available from the Windows Store. If you go down this route you’ll need to create your own boot media, so that you can install the OS on your computer.

The only exception to this is the Upgrade Version, which should download and install in one go; however, for safety, we recommend following the alternative method and downloading the Upgrade ISO file, which you can then burn to DVD or copy to a USB flash drive. If you’ve bought a retail copy of the software, you can skip this section and jump straight to the installation instructions instead.

USB OR DVD?

You have two choices for creating installation media: a blank DVD or a USB drive. If you want to go with a USB drive, you’ll need one with at least a 4GB capacity. It will be wiped when you put the software on it, so insert it into a slot and make sure you’ve copied everything off it first. Leave the USB drive inserted. If you’re going to use a DVD, insert a blank disc into your drive.

The Windows 7 USB Download Tool lets you create a bootable flash drive for installing Windows 8

Next, download the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool and install it on your computer. Run the software and click Browse, then navigate to your Windows 8 ISO file. Click Next, and you can choose DVD or USB as the installation method.

If you click DVD, you’ll need a blank disc in your optical drive; click Begin Copying when you’re blank disc is detected. If you’re using a USB drive, select the right one from the drop-down list and click Begin Copying to wipe the drive and copy the files. Once the process has completed, your boot media is ready for use.

Before you start, though, make sure that your computer is connected to the internet. You can do this via an Ethernet cable to your router if you used wired networking, while wireless users will be prompted to connect to a network during the installation process.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION GUIDE

STEP 1
Insert your Windows 8 boot media (DVD or USB) drive into your computer and restart it. Make sure that your BIOS, or UEFI if you have a newer computer, is set to boot from the correct media first.

For USB drives, this could either be a generic USB option, or you may find that your USB drive appears in the list of hard disks. For the latter, make sure your USB drive is first in the list. Some modern UEFI motherboards have a boot menu: open this and click on your USB drive.

Look out for a message telling you hit any key to boot Windows 8; you may not get this if you’re booting from a USB drive. Check your motherboard or laptop manual for specific information on booting and your BIOS or UEFI.